Asif Mahmud, Mahfuj Alam resign from interim govt
The resignations will be effective the moment the election schedule is announced, says Chief Adviser's Press Secretary Shafiqul Alam
Two advisers to the interim government, Asif Mahmud Shojib Bhuyain and Mahfuj Alam, have stepped down from their posts as they are preparing to contest in the upcoming 13th national election slated for February.
Both of them submitted their resignation letters to Chief Adviser (CA) Muhammad Yunus at the CA's official residence, Jamuna, around 5pm today (10 December), said CA's Press Secretary Shafiqul Alam.
Addressing a press conference in front of Jamuna around 6:30pm, Shafiqul said the resignations will be effective the moment the election schedule is announced.
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Shafiqul said, "If the election schedule is announced in the morning, they [Asif and Mahfuj] will not be able to attend the cabinet meeting. But if the meeting is held before the schedule is announced, they will be able to attend, as far as I know."
Chief Election Commissioner AMM Nasir Uddin is set to announce the schedule for the election and the referendum on the implementation of the July National Charter at 6pm tomorrow (11 December).
CA Yunus told Mahfuj, adviser to Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, and Asif, adviser to the Ministry of Local Government, Rural Development and Cooperatives, that the experience they gained while serving in the government must be used in their future lives, said the press secretary.
After accepting the resignation letters of the two advisers, who had been at the forefront of the July Uprising as student leaders, the chief adviser wished them well in their future lives, reads a statement from the CA's Press Wing.
"The way you led the uprising and contributed to freeing the nation from fascist rule will be remembered. I believe you will continue to play an active role in the democratic transition and its advancement in the future as well," he said.
The chief adviser added that today is a historic day and the interim government will always remember their contributions.
"I wish you a bright and prosperous future. The nation will never forget what you have given in such a short time," he said. "This is merely a transition. I hope that in the days ahead, you will make even greater contributions on a broader stage."
Earlier in the afternoon, Asif Mahmud, who also oversees the youth and sports ministry, said that any official statement regarding his possible resignation would 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."
He further said he has not yet decided from which constituency or under which party he will run. "These matters will be clear within a day or two," he told reporters.
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.
