The interim government has affirmed that there has been no decision yet regarding the removal of President Mohammed Shahabuddin, who has been facing immense pressure to step down as the head of the state following a statement on the resignation of ousted Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.
“Political parties are our stakeholders. Today's meeting with BNP is part of an ongoing dialogue with political parties. You will know in due course of time if there is any decision,” Chief Adviser’s Press Secretary Shafiqul Alam told reporters on Wednesday at the state guest house Jamuna, the official residence of Chief Adviser.
Alam came up with the remarks in response to repeated questions from reporters over the possibility of resignation or removal of the President after a meeting between Chief Advisor Muhammad Yunus and a BNP delegation at the Jamuna.
Regarding concerns over the Chief Adviser’s health, the Press Secretary assured that the Chief Adviser is in good health and continues to hold meetings as usual.
On Tuesday evening, Chief Adviser’s Deputy Press Secretary Apurba Jahangir said that the government concurred with the Law Adviser’s stance regarding President Mohammed Shahabuddin. “The government agrees with what Law Adviser Dr Asif Nazrul said earlier regarding the President… there has been no decision as of now regarding the removal of the President,” Jahangir told reporters at the Foreign Service Academy in response to a query.
Law Adviser Dr Asif Nazrul on Monday accused President Mohammed Shahabuddin of lying about not receiving former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s resignation letter, suggesting that the President’s statement violated his oath of office.
“The President’s claim that he did not receive Sheikh Hasina’s resignation letter is a lie and a violation of his oath,” Dr Asif stated.
President Shahabuddin is under fire following his remarks on the resignation of ousted Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, who fled the country to India on August 5 amid student-led mass upsurge.
On that day, Army chief Gen Waker-Uz-Zaman announced her resignation in a televised address. President Shahabuddin also addressed the nation that evening, confirming Hasina had submitted her resignation letter, which he had accepted.
Amid a constitutional vacuum, a caretaker government, led by Yunus, was formed with the consultation of the Supreme Court.
The controversy raised following the President’s interview with Daily Manab Zamin Editor Matiur Rahman Chowdhury.
The President said that although he had heard about Hasina vacating her post, he had no ‘documentary proof’ of her resignation.
The president has come under intense scrutiny after the statements were published in the outlet’s magazine.
The Anti-Discrimination Student Movement, which spearheaded the mass uprising against the Hasina administration, has already demanded the resignation of the President.
One group at the protest asked the President to resign within 24 hours.
Protesters even attempted to breach the security barricade at the Bangabhaban on Tuesday. Amid escalating tension, police used batons and sound grenades to disperse the crowd.
