Crosscurrents of moves over President's exit

President's resignation political issue, not constitutional: Adviser

BNP foresees constitutional crisis if President quits, urges vigilance over bid for unleashing chaos


FE REPORT | Published: October 24, 2024 00:38:48


BNP Standing Committee Member Nazrul Islam Khan speaking to the media after a meeting with Chief Adviser Dr Muhammad Yunus at the State Guest House Jamuna in the capital on Wednesday. Two other Standing Committee members - Amir Khasru Mahmud Chowdhury and Salahuddin Ahmed - were also present with him. — Focus Bangla


Amid crosscurrents of moves over the presidency, BNP Wednesday said the party did not want a constitutional crisis that may crop up in the country through removal of President Shahabuddin.
On the other hand, talking to reporters at the secretariat, information adviser of the interim government Nahid Islam said president's resignation is no more a constitutional issue now, rather a political option.
"It has become a political issue and decision in this regard will be finalised through a consensus on consultation with political parties," he said, in the wake of a latest wave demonstrations calling for the president's resignation in tune with the August-5th student-people uprising that overthrew the Sheikh Hasina government on charge of perpetrating "fascism".
The BNP view of the situation came after the party's three top leaders' meeting with Chief Adviser Dr Muhammad Yunus at the state guesthouse Jamuna.
"Everyone should remain alert and back this government so that the agents of the immediate-past government could not create a new constitutional crisis in the country. If anyone tries to do that, we shall resist it," BNP standing-committee member Nazrul Islam Khan told the reporters after the consultation.
Another of the delegation, Salahuddin Ahmed, said if the post of President fell vacant, there would be a constitutional vacuum and the state would be in a crisis, which is not expected.
"Such crisis may impede or block the process of transition to democracy," he added.
The three-member BNP delegation met with the head of post-uprising interim government to discuss situations stemming from President Sahabuddin's statement that he was told that former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina had resigned but he didn't see or not in possession of the resignation letter. The other standing-committee member in the team was Ameer Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury.
President Sahabuddin, while announcing his decision to dissolve parliament, had said that former prime minister Sheikh Hasina resigned and he accepted it.
But on Sunday he told a local daily that he had not seen the resignation letter.
His remarks drew flaks from home and abroad, and in response to this, the law adviser said that the President violated his oath by telling a "lie".
Different pro-government organisations also demanded resignation of the President, and on Tuesday night, a group of demonstrators tried to storm in the Bangabhaban presidential palace that resulted in clashes with law enforcers.
Press Secretary to the CA, Shafiqul Alam, said the interim government did not take any decision yet to unseat President Shahabuddin Ahmed Chuppu.
Asked about government position on this conundrum on the corridors of state power, he said, "The government has asked the protesters to leave Bangabhaban area."
Trashing rumours over the health issue of the CA, he said Dr Yunus "is totally fit and well and is engaged in a lot of works".

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