Even though Sahabuddin was elected during the Mafia regime, he remained respectful toward the current government: Speaker

Photo: Collected

News Desk: Outgoing President Mohammed Shahabuddin, although elected during the Mafia government’s tenure, always expressed his support for and respect toward the current government, which was elected by the people, National Parliament Speaker Hafiz Uddin Ahmed said.

Hafiz Uddin Ahmed has assumed the duties of Acting President after Mohammed Shahabuddin resigned due to serious health complications. He made the remarks at an emergency press conference regarding Shahabuddin’s resignation.

Hafiz Uddin Ahmed said that under Article 50(3) of the Constitution of the People’s Republic of Bangladesh, President Mohammed Shahabuddin submitted his signed resignation letter to him at 5:01 pm on Friday. He assumed the responsibilities of the President under Article 54 of the Constitution.

He further said that he had accepted the resignation letter and instructed that it be preserved in the records of the Parliament Secretariat and that necessary administrative procedures be undertaken.

Explaining why the President resigned, the Speaker said, “You are certainly curious to know why the President resigned. He stated in writing that he is seriously ill. He is suffering from heart disease, high blood pressure, diabetes, and kidney complications.”

The Speaker said the President had undergone bypass surgery and that medical examinations had diagnosed him with a condition called autonomic neuropathy, which sometimes causes him to lose consciousness.

Due to these illnesses and his physical and mental incapacity, the Speaker said, it was no longer possible for the President to perform the responsibilities of such an important constitutional office.

Hafiz Uddin Ahmed said the President requires long-term medical treatment. Therefore, he resigned on health grounds, and as the Speaker of the Bangladesh National Parliament, he was the only person authorized to accept the resignation.

The Speaker further said that on the day he took the oath as Speaker, he also took the oath as Acting President. If the position of Speaker becomes vacant for any reason, the Deputy Speaker will perform the duties of the Speaker.

Wishing the outgoing President well and good health, he said, “I believe that although he was elected during the Mafia government’s tenure, he has always expressed his support for and respect toward the current government, which was elected by the people.”