A number of her party colleagues came down heavily on Hasina for what they said is her autocratic manner of leading the party for years and taking some decisions that were completely against its ideology, a meeting source said, preferring anonymity.

They also demanded curtailment of immense powers that the party chief now enjoys, and introducing a system of joint leadership.

Sources said both Hasina and the other leaders reached a consensus on refraining from any activities that might split the party or tarnish its image.

They also agreed to place all proposals regarding reforms in the party at its central working committee meeting once the government lifts ban on in-door politics.

"The central working committee will decide what is needed to make Awami League a more democratic party," said a meeting source quoting Hasina.

The meeting was held at Bangabandhu Bhaban in Dhanamondi, ending a brief celebration of the party's 58th founding anniversary. It was attended by AL presidium members Amir Hossain Amu, Syeda Sajeda Chowdhury, Abdur Razzak, Tofail Ahmed, Motia Chowdhury, Suranjit Sengupta and acting General Secretary Mukul Bose, among others.

A number of frontline leaders recently took a position against the party president and began informal campaign for an end to her 26-year tenure as party chief.

In yesterday's talks, they grilled Hasina on issues like unilateral declaration of the April 30 deadline, signing of a memorandum of understanding with Khelafat Majlish and provocative statements against the present caretaker government which, they said, prompted the government to take a hard line against AL leaders.

Hasina tried to pacify her fellow leaders and at one stage said she would not continue in her post if the party council does not want. "If you want, I have no objection to quit but I request you to be united in such a crisis moment, and not to misguide party workers," an AL leader present at the meeting quoted her as saying.

On the memorandum of understanding with Khelafat Majlish, she tried to defend herself by saying the deal no longer exists. But, most of the leaders, who are against her mode of presidency, were not satisfied with her explanations, and expressed their sorrow.

Amir Hossain Amu, who is leading the recent move for 'reform', at a post meeting press conference categorically said he differed with the views of Hasina on issues like deal with Khelafat Majlish and her taking a tough stance against the caretaker government.

HASINA FOR REFORMS
Hasina asked her party leaders to place intra-party reform proposals before the central working committee and council of the party for final approval, and not to her.

"If the proposals are placed to me, it would mean recognising absolute power of the party president," she said.

Claiming that she is a strong advocate for reforms in the party, she said necessary reforms would be made through discussion.

Hasina was talking to reporters after placing wreath at the portrait of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman in front of Bangabandhu Memorial Museum at Dhanmondi in the early morning to mark the 58th founding anniversary of the AL.

Syeda Sajeda Chowdhury, Amir Hossain Amu, Abdur Razzak, Tofail Ahmed, Suranjit Sengupta, Motia Chowdhury and Mukul Bose, among others, were present on the occasion.

Later, she held a meeting with the party colleagues for one and a half hours.

Criticising the comments by an influential party presidium member on the agreement between AL and Khelafat Majlish (which was cancelled later), Hasina said, "The situation in Bangladesh could not be understood from Singapore" (the leader is back from Singapore a few days ago).

Defending herself Hasina said, "Khelafat Majlish came to us promising a secular policy. And the deal no longer exists."

In reply to questions, she said, "It is only AL which takes decisions on any issue after discussions by the party working committee."

About the party's source of funds, she said, "Awami League does not need to demand money from anybody. Its well-wishers donate funds voluntarily, and that is the strength of the party."

The former prime minister said, "Only AL will be able to bring economic freedom of the people, to control price hike to end their sufferings...and lead this country to its desired destination."

Alleging that a certain quarter is plotting against the party but it is ready to face any such obstacles. "AL is a people's party and it cannot be destroyed," she asserted.

Hasina urged her party workers not to get disappointed, saying, "The sun lurking behind the cloud."

Asked about the remarks by a party presidium member on her proposal for age limit of politicians, the AL chief said, "I have given my opinion. It will be discussed ... we have to see if it is accepted … if not, we will finalise decision after discussion with all."

She mentioned that earlier she wanted elections by June but many of the party leaders disagreed with that. So, she didn't proceed further.

She alleged that attempts are being made to brand AL leaders as thieves like BNP leaders who stole crores of taka and amassed wealth through corruption in the last five years of their rule. "Time has come to evaluate everything … what the people got during eight and half years of Awami League rule since 1971 and during the remaining period," she said.

Replying to a query, Hasina said Khelafat Majlish had entered into an agreement to join the AL-led grand alliance by accepting secularism. "But we scrapped the agreement later through discussion as people didn't take it positively."

The AL chief along with her party leaders offered munajat after placing wreaths at the portrait of Bangabandhu. They also observed one minutes silence.

POLICE INTERVENTION
After talking to reporters, Hasina proceeded to enter the museum but police prevented them from following her.

Police allowed them to enter the museum only after Hasina vowed not to enter it without her party colleagues.

At one stage, she told Amu, "You are known as supporter of reforms ... why police bars you?"

Asked about this later, a smiling Amu said, "If our leader (Hasina) would not have intervened, we would not be allowed to enter the museum. So, you talk with her."

BRIEFING BY AMU
At a crowded briefing at his Eskaton residence later, Amu said there is no dispute or controversy within AL on the reforms issue.

"We have no contradiction with the party president regarding reforms in the party," said Amu, known to lead a group of influential presidium members who are preparing reform proposals.

They did not say anything in their proposals for removal of Shiekh Hasina from the post of party chief, he added.

Amu however took a swipe at Hasina for the agreement with Khelafat Majlish and some of her speeches against the caretaker government when she was abroad.

He also criticised her remark that the political situation in Bangladesh cannot be understood from Singapore. "I wonder if one can understand politics back home while staying in America and UK (where Hasina made various remarks on it).

About discussions with the party chief yesterday, Amu said, "What I am talking about for the last two days, I again discussed those matters with her...We discussed joint leadership of the party and how to run it in a more democratic way."

Amu informed reporters that he differed with the views of his party chief regarding agreement with Khelafat Majlish and some of her speech against the present caretaker government while she was abroad.

"We did not accept her (Hasina) explanation about agreement with Khelafat Majlish and some of her speech against the present caretaker government." Amu said.

He claimed that leaders from home and abroad congratulated him on his recent comments on reforms.

On election, he said it should be held after reforms are brought in the party.

About the 'minus-two' formula, Amu said, he is not aware of this.

AL leaders Prof Abu Sayeed, Mahmudur Rahman Manna, and KM Jahangir have been assigned to work on reforms, he added.

Meanwhile, Amir Hossain Amu who returned to the country Tuesday after a long stay with his ailing wife in Singapore left for the Southeast Asian country again late at night.