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Published : 28 Jan 2026, 11:09 PM
Nearly two months after resigning as interim ministers, Mahfuj Alam has said he will vacate his government-allotted residence in the Secretariat before the election, while Asif Mahmud Shojib Bhuyain has claimed that he left his allotted house about a month ago.
However, despite Asif’s claim, a visit to the government residence “Niloy-6” at Hair Road on Wednesday night found that he was still using the house.
Speaking to bdnews24.com, an on-duty staff member at the residence said: “Asif sir is here. He has not vacated the house. He mostly stays at his Paribagh residence.”
Another staff member at the house echoed the statement, saying the 27-year-old had not handed over the residence.
A member of the law-enforcing agencies stationed near advisors’ residences near Niloy-6 said, “He conducts his activities here, brings people here and stays here.”
Asif is currently serving as chairman of the election management committee and spokesperson of the National Citizen Party (NCP), and is reportedly carrying out these duties from the same residence.
However, speaking to bdnews24.com on Wednesday night, Asif said he no longer lives in the government house and had vacated it about a month ago, adding that he now lives at his Paribagh residence.
Mahfuj is staying at the government duplex ‘Uttarayan-3’ on Hare Road.
Asked when he would hand over or vacate the residence, Mahfuj, 30, told bdnews24.com on Wednesday evening that he would leave before the election.
“There is no specific provision in the policy regarding vacating the house. But I will leave the residence before the election,” he said.
Directorate of Government Accommodation Director Md Asaduzzaman said there is no information on when the two former advisors must vacate the residences or how long they can continue to stay after resigning.
He told bdnews24.com that under the housing allocation policy, government employees are allowed to stay in government residences for up to two months after retirement.
If their children are studying, they may stay for an additional four months.
In case of transfer, officials may stay for up to two months, or up to six months if their children are studying.
“However, there is no specified timeframe for ministers or advisors. They have not vacated the houses yet. I have informed the secretary about the matter and will act according to ministry directives,” he said.
On Dec 10, student representatives Asif and Mahfuj submitted their resignation letters to Chief Advisor Muhammad Yunus.
At the time, the chief advisor’s press wing said the resignations would be accepted once the election schedule was announced.
In one example, Kazi Zafar Ahmed, then education minister in Gen Zia’s cabinet in 1978, left his official residence two days before formally resigning, former top civil servant AKM Abdul Awal Mazumder recalls.
He said, “Our politicians would do well to follow such examples. This is what we expect from them, and this is what is appropriate.”
“The fact that they are not vacating government residences shows how we are moving backwards in terms of ethics and morality. From 1978 to 2026, instead of progressing, we have fallen behind in moral standards,” he added.
Asif had been part of the interim government since its formation on Aug 8, 2024, overseeing the local government and youth and sports ministries.
Mahfuj Alam was appointed on Aug 28, 2024, initially as special assistant to the chief advisor, and took oath as an advisor on Nov 10 that year.
After Nahid Islam resigned in Feb 2025, Mahfuj was given charge as information advisor.
