Asif denies reports of a new party

Asif Mahmud, advisor to the interim government's youth and sports ministry, dismissed the rumors today that a new political party called the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement was being formed.

Many people would like to speak with us on the talks or rumors regarding starting a political party. As reported by our Rajshahi staff correspondent, the speaker addressed reporters following the opening of the National Occupational Safety and Health Training and Research Institute in the Terokhadia neighborhood of Rajshahi city this afternoon. "We have made it clear before that we have no intention of forming any political party right now," he said.

According to Asif Mahmud, every member of the interim government has a different career and wishes to get back to it.

"This temporary administration was given authority by the nation's citizens through a widespread rebellion. Our objective is to transfer power to a democratic government via elections that represent the dreams and ambitions of the people," he declared.

The youth and sports adviser warned that if they passed on power without changing the current dictatorial framework, the incoming government would be compelled to adopt the same autocratic practices.

"For this reason, we believe reform is necessary. It is our duty to carry out the people's rebuilding plans, the manner in which they wish to construct the nation," he continued, adding that in order to further the reform efforts, they were also soliciting input from various political parties.

"We regularly have meetings with representatives from various political parties. In order to prevent miscommunication between us, we communicate with each other outside of formal meetings. We'll make sure that, in this process of rebuilding the nation, we can collaborate with all parties involved, including the political parties," Asif continued.

When asked about the challenges the coordinators faced in holding meetings across the nation, Asif responded that the leaders of the most recent nationwide student uprising were traveling to different regions of the nation to hear what the locals had to say.

"There are conflicts over the nation's reconstruction. We have to hear what they [people] have to say if we are to reflect their dreams and goals. Coordinators are trying to listen to people by going from place to place for this reason. He continued, "I have also heard of certain situations there.

He said these types of controversies are an age-old tradition in Bangladesh.

"There are some people who will make any good initiative controversial. Many fake coordinators are extorting money from people in different places. We think all these will come to an end. The national unity that was formed between us will remain and through that we will be able to form a new Bangladesh," he added.