'Won't let Yunus resign': Gono Odhikar alleges it's 'a drama staged by NCP' to save Asif, Mahfuj

Gono Odhikar Parishad leaders today (23 May) alleged that the discussion over Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus' possible resignation is a drama staged by leaders of the National Citizen Party (NCP) to divert public attention from the demands of "NCP advisers" Asif and Mahfuj's resignation.

Speaking after a rally and procession in Purana Paltan of the capital, demanding the resignation of the two advisers and Dhaka South City Corporation Administrator Mohammad Azaz, the party leaders also said they will not let CA Yunus to resign.

The Gono Odhikar accused LGRD Adviser Asif Mahmud Shojib Bhuyain and Information Adviser Mahfuj Alam of being impartial, instigators of unrest, and biased in favour of the NCP.

On the other hand, the party accused the Dhaka North administrator of being a leader of the banned outfit Hizb ut-Tahrir, an allegation Azaz has already refuted.

Speaking after the rally, Gono Odhikar's General Secretary Md Rashed Khan claimed, "Yesterday, rumours were spread about the resignation of the chief adviser. However, he is not resigning. In reality, he was angered by the behaviour of the NCP's advisers and leaders, and told them, 'Control yourselves, or I will not remain in charge.'

"This was essentially a warning to them. But they went outside and spread the word that the chief adviser was resigning. Then, the same people started saying in the middle of the night that the chief adviser would stay. Basically, this drama was staged by them to divert public attention from the demand for the resignation of NCP's advisers."

Rashed, however, did not divulge any evidence to back his claims.

Referring to a statement by Environment Adviser Syed Rizwana Hasan, the party leader said, "Today, one adviser said, 'We are not here just for the election.' But even after ten months, we haven't seen any example of justice for genocide or meaningful state reform."

"On the contrary, under the guise of reform, one adviser's husband has become a protector of Nasrul Hamid Bipu's looted wealth. They arranged bail for Saber-Mannan and tried to form a 'refined Awami League,'" he also alleged, without providing any details as to who he was referring.

Regarding advisers Mahfuj and Asif, he alleged, "Under the name of reform, Mahfuj has created anarchy and disunity, and Adviser Asif has been involved in corruption. Asif's APS committed corruption — did he just sleep through it?"

"How can a leader of a banned organisation become an administrator?" Rashed said, referring to their allegation of Dhaka South administrator being a Hizb ut-leader. "Asif must answer for this. Our clear demand is that NCP advisers Mahfuj and Asif must resign for violating their oath. Also, Administrator Azaz must be removed and arrested. Otherwise, the questions raised about the neutrality of the Advisory Council will not be resolved."

Rashed further said, "We do not want the resignation of Muhammad Yunus. We will also not let him to resign before his duties end. We have trust in him. But his team is not performing well."

He called on the interim government to restructure the Advisory Council.