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Leader of the Opposition and Ameer of Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami Dr Shafiqur Rahman on Friday said President Mohammed Shahabuddin’s resignation had removed “a dark shadow of autocracy” from the country, adding that his party had long believed the former President was no longer fit to hold office.
Speaking at an emergency press briefing at the Opposition Leader’s official residence on Minto Road following Shahabuddin’s resignation, Dr Shafiqur said the reasons behind the President’s decision were of little interest to his party.
“We are not interested in why he resigned because we had already concluded that he was no longer qualified to remain President. He had lost that qualification,” he said.
Congratulating Speaker Hafiz Uddin Ahmed on assuming the role of Acting President under Article 54 of the Constitution, the Opposition Leader expressed hope that he would discharge his responsibilities impartially and uphold the dignity of the office.
“We will extend our full cooperation as long as he performs his duties fairly, without bias and in accordance with the Constitution,” he said.
Dr Shafiqur also wished the Acting President good health and noted that the Constitution requires the election of a new President within 90 days. As Parliament is currently in session, he said the next President would be elected through the normal constitutional process.
He stressed that Bangladesh needed a dignified Head of State rather than “someone who seeks favour,” saying constitutional reforms should help end the culture of political subservience.
“The President must uphold the Constitution and act according to conscience, not under the influence of any individual,” he said.
The Jamaat chief also said there was no reason for a constitutional crisis to emerge and expressed hope that the transition would proceed smoothly.
He further urged senior state officials, including the President and Prime Minister, to seek medical treatment within the country whenever possible, arguing that doing so would strengthen public confidence in Bangladesh’s healthcare system and contribute to its long-term development.
