Reformers within the Chinese Communist party are trying to exploit the recent ousting of Bo Xilai by pushing for constitutional and political change in coming months, according to senior officials and people close to party leaders.

While any reforms could be tentative at first, premier Wen Jiabao and his allies are hoping to build support in the run-up to the 18th party congress later this year, at which most of the country’s top leaders will step down and the party will consider revising its constitution. Many of Mr Bo’s former allies argued strongly against political and judicial reform.

“The conditions for political and constitutional reform are almost all in place – now is the right time,” one senior central government official said. “Wen will push very hard for this and will keep pushing even after his retirement [early next year].”