The reason for such initiative is the fear that their presence might cause the design for their exclusion to fall flat on its face, say insiders.

In the lead-up to the planned councils, some stern measures will be taken against the former premiers who already face curbs on their movements, said sources watching the developments from close quarters.

Those loyal to the two leaders are not being allowed to meet them while the ones for drastic reforms in the AL and BNP continue meeting at restaurants and houses despite the ban on indoor politics.

The pro-reform groups have been working to outmanoeuvre Hasina and Khaleda with tacit support from the administration, several AL and BNP leaders said in return for anonymity.

In a recent statement, the government said it might allow the political parties to hold special councils for the sake of reforms with the ban on the political activities still in place.

The two top leaders meanwhile maintained that they too want reforms but those should be determined by the national councils and must not be imposed from outside.

Talking to The Daily Star, a number of senior leaders of both the AL and BNP have said they want to keep their party heads out of the council sessions as they think the supremos might influence the intended changes and the way they want those to take place.

Alongside preparations for councils on reforms, the pro-reforms camps are now trying to persuade the councillors that exclusion of Hasina and Khaleda is an absolute imperative for meaningful reforms.

Because of corruption allegations against them it seems uncertain if the ladies who dominated the country's political landscape for decades will be able to take part in the councils.

Three extortion cases have already been filed against AL President Hasina while preparation is on to file more, said an intelligence official seeking anonymity.

A string of cases are in the offing against BNP Chairperson Khaleda too, a source in the administration said.

The cases might be disposed of before the councils and the two if found guilty will not be able to participate in the national councils, a senior BNP leader, who claimed to have been keeping close contact with the government policymakers, told The Daily Star.

In case of conviction, Khaleda will be automatically disqualified from holding or contesting the post of chairperson, according to the BNP constitution.

The AL constitution does not have any such provision, but the pro-reforms leaders on several occasions said that they would not bear the responsibility if Hasina ends up being convicted of extortion.

A number of pro-reforms leaders from both the parties have told The Daily Star that their plan for freeing the parties from dynastic leadership hinges on whether the two would make it to the councils.

They believe the government's legal actions against Khaleda and Hasina will help them amend the party constitutions and get rid of the two who have been at the helm for years.

According to both party constitutions, grassroots level leaders make up the majority of the councillors and both Khaleda and Hasina believe they will still vote for them, sources close to the former prime ministers said.

Before the government slapped restriction on entrance to her Dhanmondi residence, many leaders from grassroots level had met Hasina at the Sudha Sadan and pledged support in her favour.

According to the AL constitution if the council meeting is summoned in order to alter, modify or amend the constitution, it shall be done by the votes of the majority of members present.

On the other hand, Khaleda believes most of the BNP rank and file will not support Secretary General Abdul Mannan Bhuiyan and allies in their efforts to leave her out.

The pro-reform BNP leaders, who unveiled a 15-point reform proposal apparently aiming to dislodge Khaleda from the post of chairperson, plan to approach the field level leaders and workers to mobilise support in favour of their proposals. If they are to have their proposals approved in the council, they will need the two thirds majority siding with them.

The BNP secretary general yesterday met some former ministers and lawmakers to discuss the campaign strategy. According to the plans, the former lawmakers will work to convince the grassroots level leaders-cum-councillors.