A dissident move is under way to amend the constitution of Bangladesh Muktijoddha Sangsad. the apex body of the country's Freedom Fighters (FFs). in a bid to free it from government influence, compe tent sources said on Saturday.

The move is being planned by some dissident leaders following apparent failure of the Prime Minister Khaleda Zia's attempt to reunite the Sangsad by electing a fresh central body—the Central Command Council, they added.

The planned amendments include exempting the government leaders from the or gantsation s Council of Patrons and increasing the number of councillors.

The advocates of the change led by Principal Ahad Choudhury is scheduled to address a news conference in Dhaka this afternoon (Sunday) to protest, what they alleged government's attempt to politicise the Sangsad and hold control of it in the name of unity move

The Ahad-led group, titled toward* Awami League, is planning to organise his followers across the nation and to convene the Sangsad's requisition council late this month.

After the Prime Minister, the Chief Patron deferred the March 31 deadline of holding of national council as planned by the Council Preparatory Committee.

The PM In her order issued March 31 reset December 31, 1993 as new deadline to hold the council session and elect the new central body. Earlier, she shifted December 31, 1992 deadline to March 31 this year.

The PM s repeated extension of the council session's schedule has angered the Ahad group.

According to sources In the Sangsad. the PM's step was followed by submission of reports by 10 teams, formed by the preparatory body, after their February 9-20 organisational tour across the country.

With the formal split of the Sangsad — one led by Ahad and the other by Mahfuzur Rahman, known as pro-government, In early 1991, the rival groups fought for control of the organisation's central office at Eskaton Road in the city.

The unity process began later when the PM was made the Chief Patron who met leaders of both groups at the BARC auditorium September 30 last year. The Joint meeting formed the Council Preparatory Committee entrusting it with the sole responsibility of holding the council session to elect the central body In a neutral manner. The preparatory body Included leaders from both the sides.