Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has accused non-M? leaders in BNP of obstructing a negotiated settlement of the current political stand-off. saying these leaders have now emerged as deciding factors in the main opposition party.

Many in BNP are willing to sit for dialogue to resolve the disputes with the government. But the non-MP leaders with least interest in effective functioning of the Parliament are opposed to the process of negotiation. she said.

The prime minister gave an exclusive interview to the Bangla daily Prothom Alo to be published today and tomorrow. BBC Bangla Service yesterday broadcast a report based on key-points of the interview taken recently.

Hasina said she is willing to talk with all concerned including her friends and foes to resolve the political crisis. "But a section of the BNP leadership, now deciding matters in the party, is opposing a consensus (between the government and the Opposition)."

About the demands of four opposition parties -- BNP. Jatiya Party. Jamaat-e-Islami and IOJ - Hasina told the newspaper: These four parties had always been identical in their thoughts, ideologies and activities.

Asked about her party Awami League s alliance with JP and Jamaat (against the then BNP government), she said the unity was forged on parliamentary affairs and the parties then represented in the Parliament launched an agitation from inside the House.

The prime minister defended formation of her government in coalition with former general Ershad's JP. saying her party "adopted a successful tactic maintaining differences of ideals and principles".

She claimed that the AL had emerged as majority party in parliament with an edge of only one seat in the 1996 general elections, but the party feared

that some of its MPs might be killed or kidnapped.

To be on the safe side, we reconfirmed our majority in the Parliament with the support of (Ershad) of Jatiya Party and ASM Rab (of JSD)."

Hasina denied BNP allegation that some 70.000 cases had been filed against more than 10.000 activists of the party and asked it to give a list of such cases.

'Earlier investigation into such allegations revealed that cases had been filed against many BNP leaders and workers during the rule of that party."

She also denied the allegation that the Opposition lawmakers were not allowed to speak on the floor of the House. "Proceedings of the Parliament will show that the Leader of the Opposition was given the floor whenever she had asked for it."

Asked about AL's election pledge to grant autonomy to Radio and Tv, Hasina feared that it could trigger work stoppage in those.

She, however, mentioned that her government allowed a private Tv channel to operate.

The prime minister denied that the country lacked a defence policy and said "We can't disclose our war strategy."

Brushing aside allegations that AL is a pro-India party. Hasina said. "BNP and JP are the two parties most liked by • India."