BNP leader Ishraque Hossain, who was recently declared mayor of Dhaka South City Corporation (DSCC) by a Dhaka court, has called for the resignation of Advisers Asif Mahmud Shojib Bhuyain and Mahfuj Alam.

Asif Mahmud currently serves as an adviser to both the Ministry of Local Government, Rural Development and Cooperatives, and the Ministry of Youth and Sports, while Mahfuj Alam serves as an adviser to the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting.

Ishraque made the appeal through a post on his Facebook page on Wednesday morning.

In the post, he wrote: "In democratic language, and following political decorum, I am urging Advisers Asif Mahmud and Mahfuj Alam to resign from all responsibilities of the interim government for logical reasons. It is becoming apparent that you are affiliated with a political party and may become directly involved in the future. It is also quite clear that you intend to contest the upcoming elections. In that case, is the demand for your resignation unjustified? Or wouldn’t that be the right course of action to put an end to political controversy surrounding you?"

He continued: "You should follow the example set by Nahid Islam. He could have remained in his ministerial post for a few more days and then joined the NCP if he wished. There was a time when Sargis Alam, Hasnat Abdullah and others could have taken up the ministry if they had made a strong demand. But they chose that course of action because they wanted to do politics. Perhaps one day, if elected by the people, they will assume ministerial responsibilities with full authority, power, and respect."

"If you resign, it will enhance the current government`s image of neutrality. I still believe that if you formally join politics and gain experience by working within a party and its organizational framework, you will be able to serve the country and its people more effectively."

"But if you hold on to power, you will inevitably have to favour your party members. There is neither the possibility nor the capacity for complete neutrality in such a position — not for anyone. The jackfruit will be broken on your head, but everyone else will eat it."

Addressing possible criticism, Ishraque added: "You may now say or think that I’m preaching morality while having caused public suffering by morally supporting a prolonged movement just to become an ‘illegal mayor’ out of greed for power. Haven’t I also faced intense criticism for doing so? But I had no other choice. It was necessary for the country to make people understand that you are being misled. And until today, it is evident to any politically conscious person that the attempts to restrain me were made through joint decisions. I would say this was a flawed policy, and Asif Bhuiyan, you were used in this."

"If we cannot accept the rule of law and court decisions, where will reform in the country even begin? You could have criticised me all you wanted afterward, observing what I actually did. But now I must complete the entire process properly."

"The same old arrangement is being followed — one could even say it’s being made more permanent. There is no scope to withdraw the demand for your resignation. And why do you wish to stay in power anyway?"