Bangladeshi President Mohammed Shahabuddin has announced his intention to resign midway through his term following the upcoming parliamentary elections in February. In a candid conversation with Reuters, Shahabuddin expressed feelings of humiliation due to the actions of the interim government, led by Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus. While the role of the president in Bangladesh is generally considered ceremonial, Shahabuddin’s position gained significance when, amid a student-led uprising, former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina was forced to flee to New Delhi in August 2024, leaving him as the foremost constitutional authority.
At 75 years old, Shahabuddin, who was elected unopposed for a five-year term in 2023 as a representative of Hasina’s Awami League party, acknowledged that his party is now barred from participating in the upcoming elections scheduled for February 12. Despite his wish to resign, he emphasized the importance of adhering to his presidential duties until a new government is in place.
In his statements, Shahabuddin remarked, “I am keen to leave. I am interested to go out,” indicating a clear desire to step aside for the next administration. He reassured that his continuation in office was solely due to constitutional obligations. However, should the new government express interest in appointing a different president, he stated he would step down.
Recent polls indicate that the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), led by former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia, along with the hardline Jamaat-e-Islami, are positioned to be the leading contenders in the forthcoming elections. These groups were part of a coalition that governed from 2001 to 2006.
Shahabuddin further revealed his discontent with Yunus, sharing that he hadn’t met with the interim leader for nearly seven months and lamenting the removal of his portraits from Bangladeshi embassies globally, a move he found deeply humiliating. “A wrong message goes to the people that perhaps the president is going to be eliminated,” he reflected, emphasizing the impact such actions have on his presidency.
As the political landscape in Bangladesh shifts, the coming election presents a pivotal moment for its governance and democratic institutions, raising questions about the future direction of the nation.
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