Though most of the leaders think reform is necessary within the party to fulfil the demands of the day, they said Khaleda Zia's presence is a must for any effective reforms in the party.

"We are united, so the question of any split in the BNP does not arise at all," Selima Rahman, joint secretary general of the party and also a former state minister, told the journalists after meeting with party Secretary General Abdul Mannan Bhuiyan at his Gulshan residence yesterday.

More than 30 BNP leaders including former ministers and lawmakers met Bhuiyan yesterday to express their support for the present party leadership. Similar meetings were also held over the last few days at Bhuiyan's residence.

Among those who attended yesterday's meeting were former minister and party vice chairman MK Anwar, former state ministers Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir and Rezaul Karim, former whip of parliament Ashraf Hossain, Mayor of Rajshahi City Corporation Mizanur Rahman Minu, former lawmakers GM Siraj and Ziaul Haque Mollah.

The leaders said that only Khaleda Zia can bring changes in the party leadership and they would not accept any direction from anyone else.

Separately, Brig (retd) Hannan Shah, who recently came into the spotlight for his interview with a TV channel where he quoted Khaleda Zia as saying she will bring changes in the party leadership, including the post of secretary general, yesterday told reporters at his New DOHS, Mohakhali residence, "There is no scope to demolish the unity of the party."

Responding to a question, Hannan Shah said, "The party can take action against me if I have done anything wrong. I only spoke in the capacity as an adviser to the party chairperson, not as a party leader."

Hannan Shah said that BNP leaders and workers are united under the leadership of Khaleda Zia and that according to the latest message he had received, Khaleda Zia will not leave the country. "Of course Khaleda Zia will not leave the country... she is sick now.... the chairperson is like the mother of the party, so the people of the country and we don't want her to leave."

Meanwhile, BNP standing committee member Lt Gen (retd) Mahbubur Rahman yesterday told the BBC's Bangla Service that Hannan Shah's statements had caused confusion in the party.

"BNP is a large political party and Khaleda Zia is our leader. There is no possibility of splitting the party," he said.