Muradnagar: Adviser to the Ministry of Local Government, Rural Development and Cooperatives Asif Mahmud Shojib Bhuyain today asserted that the people's mandate in Bangladesh is the only legitimate path to acquiring power. Speaking as the chief guest at a mass reception in Muradnagar Upazila, Asif underlined the importance of respecting the will of the people in the country's political landscape. According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, Asif highlighted the misconception among political parties that external influence, specifically from India, is necessary to gain power in Bangladesh. He remarked, "The mandate of the people will be the only way to come to power." He pointed out that although India had supported the autocratic regime of Hasina, the adverse consequences of that period are now evident. Asif, who also serves as a youth and sports adviser, called for unity against internal and external conspiracies. He stressed the significance of the July mass uprising, which he described as the country's "seco nd independence," achieved through the sacrifices of numerous warriors. "We will have to work together to repay the sacrifices of the martyrs," he urged. In his address, Asif also criticized the decision made during Hasina's regime to prevent division in the name of 'Cumilla,' attributing it to anger. He announced plans to advocate for Cumilla to become an administrative division, promoting decentralization. "We will discuss at the highest level of the government to make Cumilla as an administrative division for the purpose of administrative decentralization and if there is a division, it will be named 'Cumilla'," he stated.
