Sources said policymakers of the caretaker government and pro-reform senior leaders of both the BNP and AL believe that meaningful reforms in the parties are not possible keeping the two leaders at the helm.

And the government appears unwilling to lift the ban on indoor politics until there is an atmosphere for such reforms.

In the prevailing situation, the Election Commission's (EC) move for massive electoral reforms including reforms in political parties to ensure intra-party democracy and financial transparency is yet to make any headway since it cannot hold talks with political parties due to the ban on indoor politics.

Insiders of both the parties said Khaleda and Hasina have already been informed from within and outside the parties about the need for quitting their party posts. Besides, a number of senior leaders of both the parties are working to drum up support for reforms, excluding the two party chiefs.

If the two top leaders do not quit their party posts, pro-reform leaders of both the BNP and AL would go for new leadership of the parties, sources said.

Both of them might face action for corruption and criminal charges as intelligence agencies are gathering information about their alleged involvement and patronisation of corruption, the sources pointed out.

Meanwhile, the government claims that it is working for political reforms but it is yet to come up with a plan or a proposal in this regard. Only the EC has made a set of reform proposals but the government is not assisting it to proceed with those as the ban on indoor politics continues.

Political observers believe that exclusion of the two top leaders from politics is the focus of any political reform at the moment.

Law and Information Adviser Mainul Hosein on Thursday said the government is not thinking of election or resumption of indoor politics at the moment in the interest of pro-reform politicians.

"We'll have to think of the election to establish honest politics and a democratic system and we have taken up the roadmap towards that end," he told reporters responding to repeated calls by US Ambassador Particia A Butenis for lifting the ban on politics.

He said indoor politics is not everything. It is important to implement the roadmap for salvaging democracy.

The adviser said the government is creating an environment for bringing about reforms, which is a prerequisite for lifting the ban on indoor politics.

"We are moving a bit slow, as pro-reform politicians need some time. As we move slow, it will be easier for them to complete the reforms."

Earlier on Sunday he appreciated the political leaders who are speaking for reforms in the two major parties excluding Khaleda and Hasina.

"Several leaders of Awami League and BNP are now talking about their parties' reform and for changing their top leadership. That is good. We have created this awareness among the leaders," he said.

The law adviser also said those who are involved in corruption and destroyed democracy couldn't lead the nation.

Senior leaders of both the AL and BNP are now holding meetings and consultations among themselves for radical reforms in the parties, excluding Hasina and Khaleda. "They have identified the two top leaders as the main obstacle to reforms in their parties," said a source close to both the sides.

"Interestingly, leaders of the two arch rival political parties are now maintaining close contact among themselves to achieve their goals of reform, and they have made the two top leaders isolated within their parties," the source said seeking anonymity.

Talking to The Daily Star, a standing committee member of the BNP said, "Political future of party Chairperson Khaleda Zia has almost been settled, and she will have to quit the post. Most members of the (party) standing committee want her retirement from the party as they want an end to dynastic politics in BNP and the era of corruption."

A significant number of BNP leaders and former lawmakers led by party Secretary General Abdul Mannan Bhuiyan are working for radical changes in the party.

Of them, Standing Committee Member Lt Gen. (retd) Mahbubur Rahman told The Daily Star that Khaleda should quit politics considering the prevailing situation.

On the other hand, a number of senior AL leaders led by presidium members Abdur Razzak, Tofail Ahmed, Amir Hossain Amu and Suranjit Sengupta are working for reforms in the AL, excluding Hasina. Suranjit recently spoke for radical reforms in the party, if necessary, leaving out Hasina.

They have already prepared a 21-point proposal for drastic reforms in the party.

On April 5, the EC formally announced its proposals for massive reforms in the electoral system and in political parties.

Earlier, Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) ATM Shamsul Huda at a meeting with the law adviser on April 4 asked the government to lift ban on indoor politics allowing the EC to hold talks with political parties to finalise the reform proposals.