Student advisers may attend last cabinet meeting tomorrow

Bangla Press Desk:   Two student advisers of the interim government, Asif Mahmud Sajeeb Bhuiyan and Md Mahfuz Alam, may resign from the advisory council ahead of the 13th national parliamentary election.

Political circles indicate that they will formally announce their resignation after attending the regular advisory council meeting on Thursday, making it their last session.

Preparations are underway in the ministries and divisions under their supervision to ensure smooth administrative transitions. Sources suggest that Brig Gen (Retd) M Sakhawat Hossain may take charge of the Ministry of Local Government, Rural Development and Cooperatives, while Associate Prof Ali Riaz, newly appointed senior assistant adviser, may oversee the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting. The Ministry of Youth and Sports could remain under a senior adviser’s supervision.

After resigning, the two student advisers are expected to enter the election race, possibly as independent candidates.

Asif Mahmud is currently supervising the Local Government and Youth and Sports Ministries, while Mahfuz Alam is managing Information and Broadcasting. Both have already informed the chief adviser verbally about their plans.

Political analysts note that their resignations may precede the election schedule announcement. Sources suggest Mahfuz Alam could contest from Lakshmipur-1 (Ramganj), while Asif Mahmud may run independently from Dhaka-10, possibly with tacit support from the NCP.

The two student advisers joined the interim cabinet on 8 August 2024, following the fall of the previous government on 5 August.

Their participation has recently drawn scrutiny from political parties questioning the neutrality of advisory council members. Top-level advisory officials have already advised the two to resign to ensure a free and fair election.

The council meeting tomorrow will officially mark the end of their tenure, while ministries prepare for the transition and ensure continuity in administrative functions.

BP/SP