Policymakers of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party believe a sense of frustration, bred by widespread crime, corruption, price spiral of essentials and comments of former president Prof AQM Badruddoza Chowdhury, is assailing people's mind.

Talking to The Daily Star yesterday, several influential ministers said some urgent steps including downsizing the cabinet and checking the ills could erase the disquiet.

Senior ministers and BNP policymakers said they would sit with the prime minister, either individually or in groups, to discuss the issues with her.

A top leader with close ties with the premier said her attention was drawn to the issues before she left for Saudi Arabia.

"It won't be possible to discuss the issues in detail with her before the Eid. I think we'll sit together after the festival."

In her absence, several ministers and policymakers sat to discuss different issues and decided to hold a meeting with the prime minister."

"I strongly believe that major changes will take place immediately after the Eid," he said.

A top BNP leader, who would not give his name, said there were specific allegations of corruption against some ministers and officials at the Prime Minister's Office (PMO).

"Strident steps against them can send a message of the government's sincerity to stamp out the ill," he said.

He felt the urgency of changing the portfolios of some ministers who are failing to run their ministries smoothly.

A policymaker said the BNP chief was also expected to sit with party policymakers after Eid to work out a strategy to repair the damage to the party and the government caused by B Chowdhury's comments.

An influential official at the PMO said a proposal was prepared to bring immediate changes there as 'many of the staff are involved in controversial interference in the administration, business deals and abuse of authority'.

They are accused of brokering business deals and having hands in administrative transfers and postings for personal benefits and undertaking frequent foreign tours, he added.

"Some of them maybe removed and some given foreign postings," he said.

Earlier, a similar move failed because of opposition by an influential official at the PMO.