US Trade Deal Imposed on Interim Gov't by BNP: Asif Mahmud

Jatiya Nagorik Party (NCP) spokesperson spokesperson and former interim government advisor Asif Mahmud Sajeeb Bhuiyan has alleged that a recent trade agreement with the United States was engineered by the BNP and unilaterally imposed on the interim administration.

Speaking at an emergency press conference at the NCP’s temporary central office in Bangla Motor on Tuesday, Asif Mahmud claimed the deal was finalized on February 9—just three days before the national elections—through the involvement of the current Foreign Minister Khalilur Rahman.

"This is a political game to evade accountability," Asif Mahmud stated. "They are now shifting blame by claiming the previous administration did it. If this deal contains clauses contrary to our national interests, those sections must be removed or the agreement should be canceled entirely."

His remarks follow a recent television interview by former Foreign Affairs Advisor M Towhid Hossain, who claimed that neither he nor the Foreign Ministry were kept in the loop regarding the US trade deal. Referring to Hossain’s comments about an active "kitchen cabinet" operating within the interim government, Asif Mahmud firmly denied his own involvement in any such shadow group.

"The NCP was never officially consulted or informed about this trade deal," Asif Mahmud added, urging a formal review of the pact to protect national interests.

At the same press brief, NCP Chief Coordinator Nasiruddin Patwari alleged that local law enforcement officers were complicit alongside BNP, Chhatra Dal, and Jubo Dal activists during a recent physical attack targeted at him during a party event in Jhenaidah.

Turning to sports administration, Asif Mahmud—who previously served as the sports advisor—criticized the recent Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) elections. He alleged that nepotism had compromised the board, claiming candidates were selected based on family identity rather than democratic counselor qualifications.