I upheld the constitution, did nothing wrong: Ex-President Shahabuddin

Former President Mohammed Shahabuddin has defended his tenure after resigning from office, saying he fulfilled his constitutional responsibilities with integrity and committed no wrongdoing during his time as the country's head of state.

In his first public remarks following his resignation on Friday (July 24), Shahabuddin said his decision to step down was solely due to health complications, dismissing widespread speculation surrounding his exit as "baseless" and "fabricated."

"My illness is the only reason behind my resignation. Various false narratives have been circulated, but none of them are true. People created stories of their own, and those unfounded claims later fueled unnecessary discussions," he said.

Addressing questions about his stay at Bangabhaban after resigning, the former president said the law allows a former head of state to remain at the presidential residence for up to one month. However, he added that he intends to move to his residence in Gulshan as soon as possible.

Reflecting on his presidency, Shahabuddin expressed satisfaction with his performance, stating that he had carried out his constitutional duties with dignity.

"I upheld the Constitution. I am not a criminal. I served as President with my head held high," he said.

He particularly highlighted his role in managing the political crisis that unfolded after August 5, 2024, claiming he ensured constitutional continuity during one of the country's most challenging periods.

According to Shahabuddin, he exercised his constitutional authority to facilitate the formation of an interim government, which later oversaw the national election before handing over power to the newly elected administration.

"I take pride in the fact that I was able to preserve the constitutional order during the crisis. I helped establish the interim government through constitutional procedures, the election was held under its supervision, and today an elected government is running the country. I believe I made a significant contribution to that process," he said.