Former adviser to the interim government, Asif Mahmud Shojib Bhuyan, has alleged that a so-called “deep state” had devised a plan to keep the interim administration in power until 2029.
Speaking at a discussion event organized by the National Citizen Party (NCP) in Dhaka on Thursday, Asif claimed that influential institutions approached the interim government during its early days with a proposal to extend its tenure. According to him, the plan aimed to have the interim administration complete the remaining term of former prime minister Sheikh Hasina.
Asif said the proposal came with conditions, including aligning with specific interests and following a predetermined roadmap. He further alleged that the strategy involved prolonging legal cases against leaders of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), potentially preventing them from participating in elections.
He specifically mentioned BNP leader Tarique Rahman, noting that existing convictions could bar him from contesting polls if left unresolved.
“They presented a full strategy on how we could remain in power by cooperating with them, but we rejected the proposal,” Asif said.
He emphasized that the interim government chose to uphold democratic principles and stepped down voluntarily to ensure credible elections.
However, Asif also criticized the BNP-led government for appointing individuals associated with the previous administration to key ministerial positions, despite earlier demands for their removal to ensure a level playing field.
