President Shahabuddin likely to resign on Friday

President Mohammed Shahabuddin is expected to resign on Friday, citing ill health, according to multiple sources at Bangabhaban.

The officials said the resignation letter may be sent to the Jatiya Sangsad speaker around noon on Friday.

Meanwhile, Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed on Thursday said the government was not aware of any decision made by the president, dismissing reports of his possible resignation as “rumours”.

“Rumours are rumours. If it becomes an actual event, we will see,” the minister told journalists when asked about reports concerning the president’s possible resignation.

Following the fall of the Sheikh Hasina-led government on 5 August 2024, there was widespread political debate over whether President Mohammed Shahabuddin should remain in office. 

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President Shahabuddin likely to resign soon: Sources

However, under the constitution, the interim government led by Prof Muhammad Yunus was sworn in by the president. 

Later, after the 2026 general election, the BNP formed the government after taking the oath of office administered by President Shahabuddin.

Over the past two years, several political parties and organisations, including the National Citizen Party and the Jamaat-e-Islami, demanded the president's removal. 

The BNP, however, did not support those calls and instead maintained its position in favour of keeping him in office.

According to sources, the BNP-led government verbally requested the president to resign earlier this month. He reportedly sought some time before making a decision. 

Family sources said President Shahabuddin has been suffering from health complications. CT scan and MRI tests conducted at the Combined Military Hospital reportedly detected neurological problems. 

Following his resignation, he is planning to travel to Singapore with his wife for advanced medical treatment.

According to the constitution, if the president is unable to discharge his duties or wishes to resign, he/she must submit his/her resignation letter to the speaker of parliament. 

If the office of the president falls vacant, the speaker will assume the responsibilities of acting president, and a new president must be elected within 90 days in accordance with the constitutional provisions.