Asif Mahmud Shojib Bhuyain, Adviser to the Ministries of Local Government, Rural Development and Cooperatives, and Youth and Sports in the interim government, has announced that he will step down before the declaration of the upcoming national election schedule.
Speaking on a solo talk show hosted by Khaled Muhiuddin, on Tuesday night, Asif said: I have been involved in politics since 2018. I believe that those engaged in active politics during the election period should not be part of the government. That is why I will step aside before the schedule is announced.
He, however, has not yet confirmed whether he will contest the election or join the National Citizen Party (NCP).
Recalling his appointment as a student representative of the “July Movement,” Asif said that his entry into the interim government was not driven by the allure of official perks, but by his active role in supporting the July mass uprising.
Asif said he still holds important responsibilities, including implementing the July Declaration, the July Charter, and proposals for local government reform.
“If these tasks are left unfinished, it will remain a historical liability,” he warned.
On the topic of reported tensions between Chief of Army Staff General Waker-Uz-Zaman and interim government head Prof. Dr. Muhammad Yunus, Asif claimed the army chief’s initial reservations stemmed from political considerations before the government was formed.
“He accepted Dr. Yunus ‘with a heavy heart’ because the Awami League did not support him,” Asif said, adding that there is currently no conflict between the military and the government, and acknowledging the army’s role before and during the August 5 uprising.
Asif admitted that there are multiple factions active within the government. He said that advisers have come from various political and social backgrounds, while the military remains a key power bloc.
He also said that a section wants to position the Jatiya Party as the main opposition, even bringing some Awami League leaders under its banner for the polls.
Criticising the absence of elected representatives in city corporations and municipalities, Asif said this has disrupted civic services, a failure for which he is being blamed despite local government elections being beyond his ministry’s control. While most parties have agreed to local elections, the BNP and some of its allies remain reluctant.
Addressing recent social media allegations linking his family to mob lynching, teacher harassment, and extortion in Muradnagar, Cumilla, Asif dismissed them as political propaganda against his father, Billal Hossain, and said legal action is being considered.
Dispelling speculation about contesting the national polls from Muradnagar, Asif clarified, “That is not true. I want to be in national politics. My goal is not local politics, my political destination is Dhaka.”
