The talked-about chapter of Shahabuddin ends with resignation

The name of Mohammad Shahabuddin as President came rather unexpectedly. After the departure of Bangladesh's longest-serving President, Abdul Hamid, the then Awami League government surprised everyone in 2023 by choosing Mohammad Shahabuddin as the country's number-one citizen. However, just 16 months later, with the fall of Sheikh Hasina's government on August 5, 2024, in the face of a mass uprising, and the days that followed, gave him a rare experience.

Navigating through various storms in the political arena, and going beyond his cherished ideology, the President served through the 18-month tenure of Dr. Yunus's government, and then another roughly five months under the BNP government. Ultimately, he had to choose the path of resignation. Yesterday, on Friday afternoon, Mohammad Shahabuddin bid farewell to the office of the 22nd President of the country. Following his resignation, in accordance with the constitution, Speaker Hafiz Uddin Ahmad assumed the responsibilities of the acting president. After taking charge, he spoke with the outgoing president over the phone. During the nearly 4-5 minute call, the acting president inquired about Mohammad Shahabuddin's health and wished him a speedy recovery. Earlier, at a press conference, Hafiz Uddin said, "Although elected during the mafia era, Mohammad Shahabuddin had the support of the people's government."

Speculation about the president's resignation began Wednesday. Since then, all eyes had been on as to when Mohammad Shahabuddin would resign. After Speaker Hafiz Uddin Ahmed cut short his visit and returned to the country on Friday afternoon, the president's resignation was only a matter of time. A senior official of Bangabhaban told Agamir Somoy that the President signed the resignation letter around 4 PM. Subsequently, his principal secretary and military secretary took the letter to the Speaker of the National Parliament. The official said, "At the time of signing the resignation letter, family members of Shahabuddin were present beside him. He was completely normal."

Mohammad Sagar Hossain, Assistant Private Secretary to the outgoing President, told Agamir Somoy that Mohammad Shahabuddin did not resign under any pressure. In fact, he is suffering from a complex illness. He had been worried for several months due to the deterioration of his physical condition. After resigning, the President himself told a media outlet, "I did not resign under any pressure. Those who are saying this are spreading propaganda."

Sources at Bangabhaban have confirmed that Mohammad Shahabuddin will move from Bangabhaban to 'Green Villa' in Gulshan-1 tomorrow, Sunday. After his resignation, close relatives visited him at Bangabhaban in the evening to express their sympathy.

'Due to my strong role, no constitutional catastrophe occurred in the country'

Mohammad Shahabuddin, who assumed the office of the 22nd President during the Awami League government, cited 'physical and mental incapability' as the reason in his resignation letter submitted to the Speaker. While evaluating his own tenure, he wrote that due to his 'strong and positive role,' no constitutional catastrophe occurred in the country.

In his resignation letter to the Speaker, he said: "I, Mohammad Shahabuddin, having been elected as the 22nd President of the People's Republic of Bangladesh, took oath as President on April 24, 2023, and have been performing my duties with dedication, honesty, and complete allegiance to the Constitution to date. It is pertinent to mention that following the fall of the then government on August 5, 2024, in the face of a student-public mass uprising, an administrative and constitutional crisis arose in the country. With the intention of overcoming the constitutional crisis, I, as President, sought the opinion of the Appellate Division of the Supreme Court of Bangladesh, exercising the power vested in me under Article 106 of the Constitution. Subsequently, upon the advice of the Appellate Division of the Supreme Court, I formed an interim government. The interim government, in consultation with political parties, arranged for the general parliamentary elections."

Shahabuddin further wrote: "Based on the election results, the current government has been formed and is running the administration. At present, the ruling party and the opposition party are performing their respective duties in the National Parliament through democratic practices. Due to my strong and positive role, no constitutional catastrophe occurred in the country."

Outlining the reasons for his resignation, he wrote: "I am seriously ill. I am suffering from heart disease, high blood pressure, diabetes, and kidney complications. I have undergone bypass surgery on my heart. Recently, a medical examination has detected a disease called autonomic neuropathy. Due to this disease, I occasionally lose consciousness for brief moments."

"Due to the prevalence of these illnesses and my physical and mental incapability, it is no longer possible for me to perform the duties of an important constitutional office like that of the President. I require long-term medical treatment. In such a situation, in accordance with the provisions of Article 50(3) of the Constitution, I am resigning from the office of the President."

What Hafiz Uddin Ahmed said at the press conference

Shortly after accepting the President's resignation letter around 5:00 PM, Hafiz Uddin Ahmad held a press conference at the National Parliament Building. Hafiz Uddin Ahmad, who assumed the responsibilities of the head of state according to the constitution, said at this time: "I think that although he (Mohammad Shahabuddin) was elected during the era of the mafia government, he has always expressed his support and respect for the government that has been elected by the people's votes at present. I wish him well."

Amidst the speculation over the President's resignation, Speaker Hafiz Uddin Ahmed cut short his foreign tour, returned to the country on Friday afternoon, and held a press conference at 5:30 PM. He said that President Mohammad Shahabuddin had resigned citing his health grounds. The resignation letter reached him in the afternoon. According to the constitution, he has now assumed the duties of the President.

Noting that the President had cited illness as the reason in his resignation letter, Speaker Hafiz Uddin, now acting President,  said that the President submitted his signed resignation letter to the Speaker at 5:01 PM, according to clause 3 of Article 50 of the Constitution. The President has explained in writing the reasons for his resignation. In the resignation letter, he mentioned that due to serious physical illness, it is not possible for him to perform the constitutional duties of the President.

Detailing the medical reasons cited by the President in the resignation letter, the Speaker said that the President is suffering from heart disease, high blood pressure, diabetes, and kidney-related complications. He had previously undergone bypass surgery on his heart. A recent medical check-up has detected 'autonomic neuropathy' in his body. Due to this disease, he occasionally loses consciousness.

The Speaker also informed that he has accepted the President's resignation letter, directed that it be preserved in the records of the National Parliament Secretariat, and instructed that necessary administrative procedures be taken. Noting that he has assumed responsibility under Article 54 of the Constitution due to the vacancy in the presidency, Hafiz Uddin Ahmad said: "I have assumed the duties of the President." Hafiz Uddin will remain in this role until a new President is elected.

In this regard, Hafiz Uddin Ahmed said that according to the Constitution, when he took oath as Speaker, he had also taken the oath to perform the duties of the President if necessary. Similarly, he mentioned that there is a constitutional provision stating that if the office of the Speaker becomes vacant, the Deputy Speaker will perform the duties.

In response to a question about various rumors surrounding the President's resignation, the Speaker said: "Today, after returning to the country in the afternoon, I heard various kinds of talk. It turned out that he resigned due to genuine physical incapability. I wish him well and good health."

Replying to another question, Hafiz Uddin Ahmed said: "The resignation of the President of Bangladesh is a serious matter. The country's well-being is also involved with it. The President is a human being; he can fall ill, and he has also disclosed the names of his illnesses. He has informed in writing about the diseases he is suffering from and that he occasionally loses consciousness. Therefore, there is no need for a doctor's certificate. He himself has made this claim."

Hafiz Uddin Ahmed believes there is no scope for any kind of ambiguity regarding this resignation. He said: "We hope that this resignation has cleared up all the ambiguities. The President is a respected and honourable President of the country; he can resign, and this chair is never vacant, and I, as the Speaker of the National Parliament, have accepted this resignation letter. This is the reality. I hope all kinds of confusion will be dispelled from now on."

Mohammad Shahabuddin had become the President uncontested on April 24, 2023, as the nominee of the Awami League while they were in power. After the student-public uprising in 2024 ended the Awami League's rule, demands were raised to remove the President, but he remained in office. Subsequently, five months after the BNP formed the government through elections, he resigned, even though nearly one year and nine months of his term remained.