Two student representative advisors were advised to resign by mid-September from the top echelons of the interim government. But they wanted more time. These two advisors are Information and Broadcasting Advisor Mahfuz Alam and Local Government Advisor Asif Mahmud Sajeeb Bhuiyan. This information has been learned from responsible government sources.

It is also learned that Mahfuz Alam has not shown any interest in participating in the next parliamentary elections so far. He wants to remain in the government. Asif Mahmud may resign before the election schedule is announced. However, no final decision has been made on any matter.

Despite efforts, the two advisors could not be reached for comment. However, Asif Mahmud told reporters on August 14 that he would resign before the election schedule was announced. On the other hand, Mahfuz Alam said at an event on September 28, "For two months, I have been in uncertainty about when I will step down. I mean, I don't know when I will step down."

Sources say that the student advisors want some of the student representatives to remain on the advisory council until the end. They feel that if they don't, some on the advisory council may conspire against them.

After the fall of the Awami League government in the July 5, 2024 mass uprising, an interim government was formed on August 8 under the leadership of Professor Muhammad Yunus. Currently, the Advisory Council has 23 members, including the Chief Advisor. Two of them are student representatives.

Student representative Md. Nahid Islam was on the advisory council when the government was formed. He later resigned on February 25 and became the convener of the National Citizens Party (NCP). The NCP was formed by the youth who led the July mass uprising.

Mahfuz Alam was initially a special assistant to the chief advisor. He was appointed on August 28 last year. Later, he was sworn in as an advisor on November 10. However, he was not given any ministerial responsibility at that time. After Nahid Islam resigned, he was given the responsibility of information advisor.

On the other hand, Asif Mahmud was initially in charge of the Ministry of Labor and the Ministry of Youth and Sports. Asif Mahmud was given the charge of the Ministry of Local Government in November last year, replacing AF Hasan Arif (late). He is now in charge of the Ministry of Local Government and Sports.

Asking only two student representative advisors to step down from the government is not acceptable to them. The issue was raised by NCP leaders in a meeting with chief advisor Professor Muhammad Yunus on Wednesday, a responsible source said.
However, NCP leaders are of the opinion that the advisory council was formed by taking names from various parties during the formation of the interim government. In that case, asking only two student representative advisors to step down from the government is not acceptable to them. This issue was raised by NCP leaders in a meeting with Chief Advisor Professor Muhammad Yunus on Wednesday, a responsible source said.

The date for the voting for the 13th National Parliament election may be fixed in the first half of February. There is a possibility of announcing the schedule in the first half of December. In such a situation, various statements about the Advisory Council have created discussions in politics. BNP has sought the removal of party members from the Advisory Council.

NCP convener Nahid Islam said that many of the advisors have established liaisons with various political parties. Jamaat-e-Islami's central Nayeb Ameer Syed Abdullah Muhammad Taher has accused some advisors of being involved in a conspiracy.

Writer and researcher Mohiuddin Ahmed told Prothom Alo that the statements coming out about the advisory council are harmful to the image of the government and the chief advisor, Professor Muhammad Yunus. These statements can create doubts among the people about the impartiality of the interim government. Therefore, the chief advisor must take bold steps in these matters. He said that the two student advisors should resign or declare that they will not run for election and that they have no open or hidden ties with the NCP.