"There is no alternative to Khaleda Zia for running the party as the leaders and workers are united under her leadership ... They believe any kind of change should be brought with her involved in the process," Hannan Shah told reporters in his Mohakhali residence in the capital.

After holding a meeting with BNP Secretary General Mannan Bhuiyan on July 25, Shah Abul Hossain, a former state minister, commented that two-thirds of the party councillors already had expressed their support for the 'reformists'.

Hannan Shah however termed the 'reformist' claim as 'false' yesterday, and said there are doubts whether even five percent of the councillors would support them.

Meanwhile, Mofazzal Karim, a 'reformist' and also an adviser to the BNP chairperson, yesterday said Hannan Shah lacks information about the sentiments of grassroots level leaders, as he was behind bars until only a few days ago.

Mannan Bhuiyan on Friday told reporters that they were getting a tremendous onrush of positive responses to their reform proposals from the councillors as well as from outside the party.

He also said they will seek Khaleda's permission for holding the council after completing the necessary preparations for it.

Rejecting Bhuiyan's claim, Hannan Shah yesterday said, "There is no doubt, those who are claiming they received support from two-thirds of the councillors for their reforms, will fail... I think they are having a pipe dream."

"They [reformists] were even compelled to postpone their views exchange programme with district level leaders as they hadn't got positive responses from grassroots level leaders," Hannan Shah claimed adding that it proves there is no alternative to Khaleda Zia yet in the party.

He said party Chairperson Khaleda Zia will be on a move to resolve all problems in the party and will lead the people to fulfilling their expectations.

Although her movement is 'a little bit restricted', she will solve all the problems soon, he added.

"We all are ready to bring necessary changes to the party constitution but those must be brought through a council when the ban on indoor politics will be lifted," Hannan Shah said.

He said he is contacting district and upazila level leaders and front organisation leaders following the direction of the party chairperson, and asking them not to get confused under any circumstance.

"Written proposals will be sought and a committee will scrutinise the proposals... Later the councillors will take a decision about the proposals including the terms and conditions for the post of the chairperson," he said adding, "There is nothing to minus or plus."

Hannan Shah however thanked the 'reformist' leaders for saying that the council will be held according to the party constitution.

Citing a reform proposal of Mannan Bhuiyan that says no one can be nominated from the party for the post of the prime minister for more than two terms, Hannan Shah said the proposal is a proof that the 'reformists' are afraid that the majority of the party members would want Khaleda Zia as the prime minister if the party went to power again.

Criticising some advisers to the party chairperson for supporting the 'reformists', Hannan said they should not introduce themselves as advisers to the chairperson anymore.

On the other hand, terming the speeches of Hannan Shah as 'illogical', Nazir Hossain, a former lawmaker and a close aide to the party secretary general, said Hannan Shah could not even win the last election in his constituency due to lack of public support.