A few senior leaders are also confused if any step will be taken to free the party from the politics of dynasty as Khaleda ruled out its existence in her party and said it will back only those with qualifications and popular support.

Talking to The Daily Star, a number of senior leaders expressed their resentment over the chairperson's ruling.

Khaleda's stance has also raised the question whether she will take steps to alloy senior leaders' concern over making her brother the party vice-president, sources said.

The senior leaders who have been speaking for reforms in the party, however, have not started identifying the fields that require reforms as there has been no directive from the party high command.

Political leaders, civil society members, the Election Commission and a few advisers to the caretaker government have recently stressed reforming political parties to institutionalise internal democracy and transparency in their functioning.

The Awami League has already started working for preparing comprehensive proposals for reforms in the party as well as the electoral system. A team of eight-ten top AL leaders headed by their President Sheikh Hasina is analysing the party constitution, funding and electoral systems and funding of parties in countries like the USA, the UK, Australia and India.

But the BNP policymakers are waiting for formal discussion in the party forum after the withdrawal of the restriction on indoor politics.

"So far as I know, no formal move was initiated for reforms in the party. I believe, all of us will sit together to discuss reforms once the ban on indoor politics is lifted," BNP Standing Committee Member Lt Gen (retd) Mahbubur Rahman told The Daily Star yesterday.

He said it is the right time for reforming the party to practise democracy within it.

He described the BNP chairperson's remarks as very positive. Khaleda had said, "We will begin working towards [bringing reforms in the party] once the ban on indoor politics is withdrawn."

A number of senior BNP leaders have already demanded amendment to the party constitution to reduce the chairperson's power.

Talking to The Daily Star, a senior BNP leader said, "It will take a few days to understand if the chairperson really wants reforms in the party."