In a significant development in Bangladesh’s political scene, President Mohammed Shahabuddin is reportedly planning to resign shortly, according to various local media reports. Shahabuddin, who took office in April 2023, has been the only high-ranking official to retain his position since the July 2024 protests. The Daily Star, a prominent Bangladeshi newspaper, revealed that Shahabuddin had a phone conversation with former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina while receiving medical treatment in London earlier this year.
The communication between Shahabuddin and Hasina was reportedly discovered by intelligence agencies, leading to calls for the President’s resignation. However, a senior member of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) suggested that the situation prompting the resignation is more intricate than just the reported phone call. Sources close to the President indicated that he is likely to step down by July 31 and move to his residence in Gulshan, as reported by the Times of Bangladesh.
President Shahabuddin, in an interview with the Times of Bangladesh, neither confirmed nor denied the possibility of his resignation but declined to provide further details over the phone. This development occurs amidst a crackdown by the BNP-led government on individuals linked to the Awami League. It follows Shahabuddin’s recent allegations of past attempts to oust him during the Muhammad Yunus-led interim government.
Shahabuddin had previously expressed concerns about being sidelined during the interim government’s tenure, claiming that efforts were made to undermine his position and destabilize the country. Despite facing numerous challenges, he emphasized his resilience in maintaining his position, thwarting unconstitutional attempts to remove him. Reflecting on the past events, Shahabuddin highlighted the turbulent period he endured at Bangabhaban, the presidential residence in Dhaka.
