President Mohammad Shahabuddin may resign, is the last chapter of the Sheikh Hasina era coming to an end?

Once again there are signs of huge upheaval in the political atmosphere of neighboring country Bangladesh. Media reports and discussions have intensified in political circles that the country’s President Mohammad Shahabuddin may resign from his post about two years before his scheduled tenure of five years. Although no official confirmation or announcement has been made in this regard yet, but experts believe that if this step is taken then it will be seen as the end of the last remaining symbols associated with Sheikh Hasina’s reign in Bangladesh politics.

What are the main reasons and intelligence reports behind the speculations of resignation?

According to Bangladeshi media reports, the biggest reason behind the possible resignation of President Shahabuddin is said to be his alleged phone conversation with former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina during his visit to London in the month of May. After the intelligence agencies got wind of this confidential conversation, there is talk that the President received a strong message from high levels to step down from the post. Apart from this, the political atmosphere has become extremely sensitive after Sheikh Hasina announced her return to the country in December this year. The ruling coalition and BNP leaders believe that the President’s maintaining contact with the former government is creating an uncomfortable situation for the current system.

Who is Mohammad Shahabuddin and what does the Bangladeshi Constitution say?

Mohammad Shahabuddin is a fighter of the 1971 liberation war and a former district judge. He was elected President of the country in April 2023 by the then Awami League-dominated Parliament for a five-year term. Last year in August 2024, when Sheikh Hasina’s government fell following student agitation and violent protests and she left the country for India, Shahabuddin remained in his post and was considered the last constitutional remnant of the Awami League rule. According to the provisions of the Constitution, if the President leaves office, the Speaker of Parliament will take charge of the presidency in the interim until a new President is elected.