Who Might Replace Mahfuj and Asif, Changes in the Interim Government’s Advisory Council

According to recent reports, two advisers of the interim government, Mahfuj Alam and Asif Mahmud Sajeeb Bhuiyan are expected to resign from their posts before the schedule for the Thirteenth National Parliamentary Election is announced.

Asif currently serves as adviser for the Local Government, Rural Development & Cooperatives Ministry as well as the Youth & Sports Ministry. Mahfuj serves as adviser to the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting.

With their resignations, advisory posts for three ministries will become vacant. It remains under discussion whether new advisers will be appointed or the existing advisers will be reshuffled internally.

Government-level sources suggest that Adilur Rahman Khan, currently adviser to the Housing & Public Works and the Industries Ministry, could be given additional responsibility for the Local Government Ministry.

Meanwhile, environmental adviser Rizwana Hasan may receive the additional portfolios of Information and Broadcasting and Youth & Sports in case of Mahfuj’s and Asif’s resignations.

According to sources, Adilur first declined the additional responsibility due to concerns about past allegations of misconduct in the Local Government Ministry, which could implicate him. However, the government is reportedly keen to avoid bringing in new faces at the last moment and has persuaded him to accept the extra charge.

The two student-representative advisers originally joined the interim government headed by Muhammad Yunus following the July 2024 student-people uprising that led to the resignation of the previous government.

Mahfuj Alam initially joined as a special assistant, later becoming an adviser in November 2024, and was appointed Information-Ministry adviser in February 2025.

Asif Mahmud Sajeeb Bhuiyan obtained responsibilities for Labour and Youth & Sports first, before being moved to Local Government. In recent months, there has been growing pressure from political parties and public voices for the student-advisers to resign if they intend to contest in the upcoming election.

Discussions now centre on how to fill the soon-to-be vacant advisory posts: whether through internal reshuffle, or by bringing in new advisers.