Advisers Md Mahfuj Alam and Asif Mahmud Shojib Bhuiyan have tendered their resignations to Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus as they prepare to contest the upcoming parliamentary election.
According to sources close to the advisers, Mahfuj is expected to run under the banner of National Citizen Party (NCP), though there remains a slight possibility that he may seek nomination from BNP.
Asif, meanwhile, may contest with either BNP or Gono Odhikar Parishad. He is likely to join NCP only if the newly formed party strikes an alliance with BNP, the sources added.
While neither Mahfuj nor Asif holds a formal position within NCP, both are regarded as influential figures inside the party.
Asif transferred his voter registration to Dhanmondi on 9 November, clearing the way for a possible candidacy from Dhaka-10, which includes Dhanmondi, Kalabagan, New Market, and Hazaribagh. This move has fuelled speculation about his political intentions in the capital.
Mahfuj’s home constituency is Laxmipur-1, where BNP has yet to announce a candidate. With Bangladesh LDP Chairman Shahadat Hossain Selim reportedly joining BNP and likely to be nominated for Laxmipur-1, Mahfuj’s chances of contesting there with BNP coordination remain uncertain.
Vacant portfolios under review
The government is deliberating whether to appoint new officials to fill three key vacant ministries or reassign the responsibilities among current advisers.
Adilur Rahman Khan may be given the Local Government, Rural Development and Cooperatives (LGRD) portfolio in addition to his current charge of Housing and Public Works, while Syeda Rizwana Hasan could be assigned the Information and Broadcasting as well as Youth and Sports ministries.
Adilur had reportedly been reluctant to take on the LGRD ministry due to past irregularities in the sector but was eventually persuaded to accept the role.
An adviser of the interim government, requesting anonymity, told TIMES of Bangladesh that the chief adviser is expected to reach a decision on Thursday.
The adviser added that the interim government is unlikely to induct new faces, given that its tenure ends with the national election expected in the second week of February.
Formal confirmation of resignations
“Information and Broadcasting Adviser Mahfuj Alam and LGRD and Youth and Sports Adviser Asif Mahmud Shojib Bhuyain today submitted their resignation letters in person to Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus at the State Guest House Jamuna around 5pm,” Chief Adviser’s Press Secretary Shafiqul Alam said during a briefing outside the venue.
The chief adviser has received the letters, he said, adding that the resignations will take effect once the Election Commission (EC) announces the schedule for the upcoming general polls. The chief election commissioner is expected to unveil the schedule this evening.
Following the fall of the Sheikh Hasina–led Awami League government on 5 August 2024 amid the July mass uprising, an interim government was formed on 8 August headed by Muhammad Yunus.
The advisory council included three student representatives—including Nahid Islam.
At the government’s inception, student leader Nahid Islam served on the advisory council. He stepped down on 25 February to become convenor of the newly formed NCP, established by young leaders of the July movement.
Mahfuj initially served as the chief adviser’s special assistant, appointed on 28 August last year. He took oath as an adviser on 10 November without a portfolio and was later assigned the information ministry following Nahid Islam’s resignation.
Asif originally oversaw the labour and youth and sports ministries. In November last year, he was reassigned to the local government ministry, replacing the late AF Hassan Ariff, and has since held responsibility for both local government and youth and sports.
