Exchanging views with the leaders from Rajshahi division yesterday, BNP Secretary General Abdul Mannan Bhuiyan said they hope 80 percent of the councillors from across the country would side with them, a former lawmaker told The Daily Star after the meet at Bhuiyan's Gulshan residence.

Meanwhile, Standing Committee Member RA Goni yesterday said that only the chairperson has the authority to convene a council but the secretary general's move is causing confusion among the party rank and file.

"The way Bhuiyan announced the reform proposals was unconstitutional as the BNP constitution states that any reform proposal must be placed before the council," he told reporters at his residence.

Bhuiyan however continued meeting former lawmakers and leaders and workers down to the grassroots level to mobilise support in favour of the proposed reforms.

In reaction to Khaleda Zia's warning against anti-party activities, Bhuiyan on Friday said they have not been doing anything contrary to the party constitution.

He also said that once he is done with the work on reform proposals, he would meet the chairperson for permission to hold the council.

Criticising the pro-reform group's activities, Goni said it was unlawful to talk about issues relating to the organisation outside the party forum and without the consent of chairperson.

Referring to the reform proposals unveiled on June 25, he said, "The secretary general could've waited till the council and it was not right to talk openly about the party matters before the media."

"Madam [Khaleda] considers the activities unconstitutional," Goni said when asked about the ongoing preparations for council.

"Without long discussions, the council will risk making wrong decisions if it's held in haste," he said.

About the grievances that the BNP has not seen a council in the last 14 years, he questioned why they [pro-reform leaders] did not raise the issue before.

"It needs great time and efforts to organise a council as the party has thousands of councillors across the country," he added.

At the meeting at Bhuiyan's residence yesterday, some former lawmakers from the Rajshahi Division expressed solidarity with the reform initiative.

Among others, ex-deputy minister Asadul Habib Dulu, who was known as a Hawa Bhaban man during the BNP-led alliance rule, and former lawmakers Abdul Alim, GM Siraj, Ziaul Haque Mollah, Mozahar Hossain and Masud Arun were present at the meeting that discussed the reform proposals and preparations for the planned council.

Later, Abdul Alim told the reporters that the secretary general would soon meet the party chairperson for approval to hold the council.

Bhuiyan is planning to announce his second set of proposals to bring reforms in the party and the state machinery.