Will contest polls, CA Office will inform about my resignation: Asif
"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,” he said.
Asif Mahmud Shojib Bhuyain, adviser to the Ministry of Local Government, Rural Development and Cooperatives, has said that any official statement regarding his possible resignation will be issued by the Chief Adviser's Press Wing.
Addressing a press briefing at the Secretariat this afternoon (10 December), 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.
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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.
His sudden call for an emergency press conference earlier in the day had fuelled speculation that he might declare his resignation.
Earlier, Asif had expressed interest in contesting from the Dhaka-10 constituency as an independent candidate. He has also applied to be registered as a voter in that area.
The adviser said, "I submitted my asset statement to the government yesterday. At the same time, I surrendered the diplomatic passport issued to me as an adviser."
During the press conference, he also highlighted the work he undertook during his tenure as an adviser, noting his contributions to policymaking beyond ministerial duties.
He said he joined the government because of his role in leading the July Uprising, and that he tried to work with "transparency and accountability."
Reports surfaced earlier that the government's top leadership had advised Mahfuj Alam and Asif Mahmud 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.
In February this year, the student leaders formed the National Citizen Party (NCP), with Nahid Islam resigning from the Advisory Council to become the party's 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).
