Asif Mahmud, Mahfuj Step Back From Polls After NCP Move

From left, Asif Mahmud Shojib Bhuyain and Mahfuj Alam. Photo: Collected

Former interim government advisers Asif Mahmud Shojib Bhuyain and Mahfuj Alam have decided not to contest the 13th national election, despite nomination papers being collected in their names.

Asif Mahmud had collected nomination papers to run from Dhaka-10, while his supporters also obtained papers from Cumilla-3. Nomination papers were similarly collected for Mahfuj Alam from the Lakshmipur-1 constituency, including by his brother and an NCP joint convener.

Although Asif Mahmud had earlier indicated through social media posts that he would contest from Dhaka-10, both former advisers have now withdrawn from the race amid shifting political alignments ahead of the February election.

The decision comes after the National Citizen Party (NCP) announced on December 28 its alliance with a Jamaat-e-Islami-led coalition, a move party leaders described as aimed at broader political unity rather than ideological alignment.

On December 29, NCP Convener Nahid Islam announced that Asif Mahmud had formally joined the party as its spokesperson and would not be contesting the election.

Mahfuj Alam, meanwhile, reaffirmed that he had long decided not to run for office, saying his resignation from the interim government was prompted by concerns over maintaining neutrality during the election period.

Following the alliance announcement, Mahfuj also said he would not join the NCP, citing the prevailing political circumstances.

The alliance decision has triggered further fallout within the party, with several senior leaders resigning from their posts and either opting out of the election or choosing to contest independently.

Both Asif Mahmud and Mahfuj Alam had resigned from the interim government earlier this month, with their resignations taking effect upon the announcement of the election schedule.