BNP leader Ishtiaque Hossain has called on advisers Asif Mahmud and Mahfuj Alam to step down from all responsibilities of the interim government, citing their alleged political affiliations and future electoral ambitions.
In a Facebook post from his verified account on Wednesday morning, Ishraq Hossain, a member of the BNP’s International Affairs Committee, urged the two advisers to resign, suggesting that their continued role in the interim government conflicts with their political engagements.
“Respectfully, within the bounds of democratic language and political etiquette, I call upon Adviser Asif Mahmud and Adviser Mahfuj Alam to resign from all duties of the interim government,” Ishraque wrote. “It is evident that you are affiliated with political parties and are likely to engage directly in politics in the near future—even contest in upcoming elections. In that context, is it unreasonable to expect your resignation? Wouldn’t it be the appropriate step to prevent further political controversy?”
He pointed to the example of Nahid Islam, who resigned before joining the National Consensus Party (NCP), praising her for setting a principled standard. “She could have held onto her ministerial post a little longer but chose to resign. Politicians like Sargis Alam and Hasnat Abdullah also refrained from accepting cabinet positions, prioritizing political integrity over temporary power,” he added.
Ishraque emphasized that the resignation of the advisors would enhance the interim government’s image of neutrality. “Holding onto power while being affiliated with a political party undermines the promise of impartiality. Such dual roles create conflict and favoritism, which no one can avoid.”
He also responded to anticipated criticism of his own past, stating, “Yes, people might say I tried to gain political advantage by supporting protests that caused public suffering. But I had no alternative. It was essential to alert the public about how you were being misguided. This wasn’t a personal ambition—it was about protecting the people’s interest.”
Ishraque warned that continuing in their positions would deepen the crisis. “There’s no justification for resisting the call to resign. Why are you so keen to hold on?”
On Tuesday night, Ishraque had already signaled his stance in a separate post, stating, “Coming to my residence to offer a swearing-in proposal is meaningless now.” He stressed two demands: that all political party representatives must resign from the interim government and that all legal decisions must be implemented in full compliance with the law.
Meanwhile, mounting pressure surrounds Ishraque himself. Protesters under the banner ‘Amra Dhakabashi’ have been demanding his swearing-in as Mayor of Dhaka South City Corporation (DSCC) since May 14. They set a Wednesday 10 AM deadline for Ishraque to make an official declaration, threatening to paralyze Dhaka if unmet. Additionally, five DSCC workers’ unions have warned of halting waste removal and other essential services if demands are ignored.
LND/BG
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