There was once again a stir in the political circles of Bangladesh. President Mohammad Shahabuddin resigned from his post on Friday. His resignation has also been accepted with immediate effect. Parliament Speaker Hafiz Uddin Ahmed has called a press conference on this issue. The official announcement of the resignation was made at 5:00 pm Bangladesh time.
According to the Constitution of Bangladesh, if the President resigns, the Speaker of Parliament will serve as acting President until a new President is elected. After this, following the constitutional procedure, the members of the Jatiya Sangsad will elect the new President. Since the tenure of the new President will be linked to the existing Parliament, the question of who will become the next Head of State has also become very important.
President Mohammad Shahabuddin resigned
President Mohammad Shahabuddin has submitted his resignation to Jatiya Sangsad Speaker Major (retd) Hafiz Uddin Ahmed citing serious health reasons. There were still about two years left for Shahabuddin’s five-year term to end. But before that he resigned from his post.
With the resignation of Mohammad Shahabuddin, the Sheikh Hasina era also came to an end. Shahabuddin, who assumed office in April 2023, was the only constitutional functionary of the previous Awami League government to retain his position even after massive student protests in July-August 2024.
Bangladeshi newspaper The Daily Star had already hinted at this resignation. According to the report, the biggest reason for President Shahabuddin’s resignation is believed to be his alleged phone conversation with former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina during his visit to London in the month of May. The report claims that the information about this confidential conversation reached the intelligence agencies, after which a message was given to the President from high level to step down from the post.
At the same time, quoting another Bangladeshi newspaper Pratham Aalo, a senior government source said that Shahabuddin had recently tried to contact Hasina again. The ruling coalition became extremely angry with his move. Mohammad Shahabuddin is considered close to former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.
Who will be the next President of Bangladesh?
Let us tell you that Shahabuddin was appointed to the post of President during the tenure of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. He was elected unopposed as a candidate of the ruling Awami League. His five-year term was to end in April 2028. Meanwhile, speculation regarding the name of the new President has intensified. Cabinet Secretary Nasimul Ghani may become the new President of Bangladesh. His name is emerging as the top possible successor.