Mahfuz Alam will not contest in polls

Former Information Adviser Mahfuz Alam has said he will not contest the upcoming national parliamentary election. He confirmed the decision in an interview with BBC Bangla on Monday (December 29).

Mahfuz Alam said he had made up his mind not to run for office from the outset and that this was the reason he did not initially want to step down from the government. However, he said the authorities felt the presence of student representatives could raise questions about neutrality during the election period, prompting his exit. He reiterated that his decision not to contest the election was taken long ago.

Although nomination papers were collected in his name for the Lakshmipur-1 constituency, Mahfuz said his brother, NCP Joint Convener Mahbub Alam, would decide independently whether to contest, as per local media reports.

In a Facebook post on Sunday night, Mahfuz Alam also clarified his political stance, saying he would not join the NCP and would continue pursuing his vision through political, cultural and intellectual engagement.