Resolved to bring radical changes in the BNP constitution, they also claimed that Chairperson Khaleda Zia would have to do a lot of answering at the council for the current disaster brought on by widespread corruption during the alliance rule.

"Most of the grassroots level leaders have responded positively to the reform proposals," ZA Khan, adviser to the BNP chief, yesterday told The Daily Star.

He also said the council would be held once they are done with communicating with the rest of the councillors. He added that they would soon meet Khaleda Zia for her consent to the council.

Meanwhile, questions have arisen among the pro-reform leaders about some of their fellows.

A number of former ministers and lawmakers who stand accused of corruption, terrorist activities and persecution of minorities when the party was in power are now working towards reforms under the leadership of Bhuiyan.

A group of Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal (JCD) activists led by Sayeed Iqbal Mahmud Titu yesterday met the BNP secretary general at his Gulshan residence. Known as a JCD cadre at Dhaka University, Titu was involved in numerous terrorist acts and is an accused in the case filed for JCD leader Khokon murder at Zahurul Haq Hall.

Asked about the possibility of Khaleda attending the council, an aide to Bhuiyan said it is more than likely that leaders down to the grassroots level would ply her with questions for corruption and many other misdeeds.

"Most of the partymen think that her unilateral decisions and a tremendous weakness for the family members led to rampant corruption and politicisation," the pro-reform leader told The Daily Star yesterday in return for anonymity.

Copies of the reform proposals have been sent to councillors across the country. Former lawmakers and presidents and general secretaries of the district committees are keeping close contact with the upazila and pourasabha [municipality] unit leaders, said sources in the pro-reform camp.

Mannan Bhuiyan has already exchanged views with leaders of Barguna, Narsingdi, Barisal, Pabna, Munshiganj, Kishoreganj and Chandpur districts and sought their support in the efforts to ensure intra-party democracy.

Meanwhile, a delegation of Jatiya Hindu Mohajote yesterday met the BNP secretary general and urged him to include in the reform proposals theirs including the one for 50 reserve seats in parliament.