Sources said party leaders' worry is also growing with corruption allegations against party chief Khaleda Zia and her son Tarique Rahman getting stronger day by day.

This will cause among the leaders and workers a serious loss of confidence in the party leadership, they said.

A few BNP leaders said they now think it would be better to be in the opposition through an election at the quickest possible time rather than delaying the next parliamentary elections which could create more problem for the party.

Sources said these leaders do not even have any objection if the BNP high command agrees to talk with their political opponent to avoid any possible disaster.

Party sources said although the BNP high-ups fear more leaders will be arrested on corruption charges, they are trying to inject courage into party men to face the situation with patience and courage.

Senior leaders, including BNP secretary general, had called for self-realisation and self-correction of the leaders and workers who have brought disaster for the party through unbelievable corruption by using government power and facilities in the last five years.

"The BNP will not suffer and lose but we will have to go through self-purgation and self-criticism," Secretary General Abdul Mannan Bhuiyan said at a discussion meeting on Tuesday.

BNP Vice-Chairman MK Anwar also said, "Those, whose activities have come under questions, will have to give their replies themselves. The party cannot take their responsibility."

Sources said party leaders are worried that the party will weaken more day by day if more leaders and activists are arrested in the ongoing drive initiated by the interim government.

BNP policymakers think that the party could recover from the damage, even they can win many parliamentary seats across the country--which will make the party a strong opposition in parliament--if the election is held as soon as possible, sources added.