Local Government Adviser Asif Mahmud Sajib Bhuiyan has announced that he will not remain in the interim election-time government.
The disclosure came on Wednesday through a verified Facebook post featuring a photo card with his statement: “I will not be part of the election-time government. Those involved in politics should not serve in such a government.”
The current interim administration, led by Chief Adviser Dr. Muhammad Yunus, was formed on August 8 last year following the fall of Sheikh Hasina’s government on August 5 in the wake of a mass student-led uprising.
Among the advisers appointed were two student leaders from the movement — Nahid Islam and Asif Mahmud Sajib Bhuiyan — with another student, Mahfuz Alam, joining later.
Nahid Islam resigned from the advisory council after student leaders initiated the process of forming the National Citizens’ Party (NCP), later becoming the party’s convener.
The other two student advisers remained in their positions, though there has been persistent speculation that they might join the NCP and contest the upcoming elections. Until now, no clear confirmation had been given.
In his August 5 address to the nation, Chief Adviser Dr. Yunus announced plans to request the Election Commission to hold the national election in February of the following year. The commission has since begun preparations, with voting expected in the first half of February.
Major political parties have expressed mixed reactions. The BNP welcomed the election timeline, while Jamaat-e-Islami said they have no objection to a February poll but will not participate unless it is held under a proportional representation (PR) system.
The NCP has stated it will only contest the election if all promises made during the uprising and the July Charter are fulfilled.
