শনিবার, ১৭ জানুয়ারী ২০২৬, ১২:৫৬ অপরাহ্ন
Two advisers to the interim government, Mahfuj Alam and Asif Mahmud Shojib Bhuyain, have stepped down from their posts.
An official at the Chief Adviser’s Office confirmed the development to The Business Standard this evening (10 December).
The Chief Adviser’s Press Wing has called a briefing in front of the State Guest House Jamuna at 6:15pm, where the announcement is expected to be made formally.
Earlier in the day, Asif Mahmud, adviser to the Ministry of Local Government, Rural Development and Cooperatives, said that any official statement regarding his possible resignation will be issued by the CA’s Press Wing.
Addressing a press briefing at the Secretariat this afternoon, he said, “I will contest the election, that is certain.”
“But at this moment, I cannot say anything about resignation. Further information on this matter will come from the Chief Adviser’s Office. The press wing will make the announcement when necessary,” said Asif, who also oversees the youth and sports ministry.
Reports surfaced earlier that the government’s top leadership had advised Asif Mahmud and Information and Broadcasting Adviser Mahfuj Alam to step down around mid-September. However, both had reportedly sought more time before making a decision.
Following the fall of Sheikh Hasina’s government on 5 August last year, an interim administration led by Muhammad Yunus was formed on 8 August. Student leaders who played key roles in the July uprising, Nahid Islam and Asif Mahmud, were included as advisers.
Mahfuj Alam initially served as a special assistant to the chief adviser with the rank of adviser. He was later appointed as information and broadcasting adviser after Nahid resigned from the post.
In February this year, the student leaders formed the National Citizen Party (NCP), with Nahid as the convener.
On 9 November, Asif applied to shift his voter registration to Dhanmondi, sparking discussions that he may run from Dhaka-10 (Dhanmondi, Kalabagan, New Market and Hazaribagh).
There were also reports that he was considering negotiations with the BNP or even running on a BNP ticket. However, the BNP has already nominated a candidate in Dhaka-10 on 4 December.
Asked today whether there is any possibility he might still run from the BNP, Asif responded, “As far as I know, the BNP has already nominated a candidate for Dhaka-10.”
A new political alliance – comprising the NCP, AB Party, and Rastro Songskar Andolon – was launched last Sunday.
Today, the NCP announced candidates for 125 seats, but Asif Mahmud’s name was not included.
Meanwhile, the Election Commission is expected to announce the schedule for the 13th National Parliamentary Election tomorrow (11 December).
