Khaleda Zia, the party chairperson, recently alleged that a group of leaders, who joined BNP from other parties, are conspiring to destroy the party under the guise of reforms. She also termed the initiative undemocratic and unconstitutional.

Meanwhile, pro-reform BNP leaders decided that they would propose to amend Clause 70 in the constitution of the country to help lawmakers play a more effective role in parliament. BNP secretary general Abdul Mannan Bhuiyan

will soon announce a comprehensive reform proposal.

"We believe that the clause should be changed to make the parliament more effective," said ZA Khan, an adviser to the BNP chief and a pro-reform leader, while talking to The Daily Star.

"The party might tear apart if we fail to reform the party," ZA Khan added.

Over the BNP chief's conspiracy allegation, two of her other advisers, Inam Ahmed Chowdhury and Mofazzal Karim, said the reform initiative is not a conspiracy, only an effort make the party well organised.

Both Inam and Mofazzal, former bureaucrats, made the remarks after visiting BNP secretary general Abdul Mannan Bhuiyan at his Gulshan residence.

They also said there is no other alternative but to implement the reforms since it is the desire of the people.

"How could she [Khaleda] term the reform [initiative] a conspiracy when she herself also spoke of reforms?" questioned Inam Ahmed Chowdhury.

Rebutting Khaleda's claim that the reform proposal is Mannan Bhuiyan's personal proposal, Inam said, "The proposal is not personal.... more proposals may come, but the party council will decide on it after discussions."

He also said nothing about the initiative is undemocratic and unconstitutional and this is the time to steer the party as well as the country to the right direction.

Mofazzal Karim said political culture in the country should be changed and it will be addressed in the upcoming comprehensive proposal.

When asked whether they talked with the party chairperson, he said they could not do so due to 'administrative difficulties'.

"May be she is misguided," he said when asked about the recent remarks of the BNP chairperson.

"She [Khaleda] is talking with people in New York and other places and I don't understand why she can't talk with us," he said adding that they would talk with the chairperson in due time.

Meanwhile, BNP Secretary General Abdul Mannan Bhuiyan yesterday exchanged views with leaders and workers from Kushtia district BNP at his residence.