Dhaka Correspondent:
There is a lot of buzz in the political arena about whether the two student representatives of the interim government, Advisor Mahfuz Alam and Asif Mahmud, will participate in the upcoming national elections. With the election in full swing, various speculations and analyses are going on in various political circles about the future role of these two.
Asif Mahmud, a young member of the advisory council, has already expressed his interest in participating in the elections. In an interview given to BBC Bangla, he said, “I am interested in participating in the elections. However, I have not yet decided whether I will be a candidate for any party or will I fight independently.”
Since his comments, political analysts have been saying that the announcement of participating in the elections while serving as an advisor to the interim government is politically significant and could affect the government’s neutral image.
On the other hand, his brother Mahbub Alam has claimed that Advisor Mahfuz Alam is also preparing to become a candidate in the elections. A few days ago, in an internal meeting of the NCP, he said, “Mahfuz Alam is seriously considering participating in the upcoming elections.”
Since this statement came out, discussions have started on social media. A section of the political community feels that if the two student advisors become active in electoral politics, the question of the impartiality of the interim government will become stronger.
Recently, some top leaders of BNP, Jamaat and NCP held a meeting with the chief advisor Dr. Muhammad Yunus. There, they formally objected to the activities and political positions of some advisors.
In this context, a news report published in the media said that the two student advisors were advised to resign from the top level of the government in mid-September. However, they have not responded so far.
Despite repeated attempts to inquire about this, there was no response from either Mahfuz Alam or Asif Mahmud.
However, according to government sources, “Both advisors are not considering resigning for the time being due to various political equations before the elections. They are considering the possibility of entering the electoral fray if the situation is favorable.”
To ensure representation of the student movement in the interim government formed after the fall of the Awami League government in the July mass uprising, three young leaders—Mahfuz Alam, Asif Mahmud and Nahid Islam—were appointed to the advisory council.
Their appointment was seen as a ‘symbol of the movement’s success and change’ by the young generation.
However, among the three, Nahid Islam later resigned and joined the National Citizens Party (NCP), a new political party formed by the movement’s frontline leaders and youth.
Political analysts believe that the influence of student advisors within the government has greatly diminished since Nahid Islam’s resignation. According to politicians, Nahid Islam was the NCP’s ‘informal link’ in the interim government.
That influence has weakened with his departure.
A political analyst commented, “If Mahfuz and Asif also resign, then there could be a major strain in the relationship between the NCP and the interim government.”
Political observers say that there is already a ‘wind of distrust’ blowing between the NCP leadership and the interim government.
If student advisors holding government positions contest the elections, then the government’s impartiality could be questioned and the relationship with the NCP could also be strained.
An analyst said on condition of anonymity, “The election-oriented attitude of the student advisors will put the government’s moral position at risk. It conflicts with the ideology of the mass uprising.”
Mahfuz Alam and Asif Mahmud, the young advisors to the interim government, are now at the center of political discussions.
Whether they will contest the elections from government positions or resign first will determine many political calculations in the future.
The ideals of the popular uprising were transparency, accountability, and impartiality. The political decisions of the young advisors would determine not only their personal futures, but also a reflection of the government’s moral standing and the public’s trust.