President ‘waiting for Speaker’, dismisses phone call claims, says ‘beyond imagination’

There is intense discussion in the political arena about President Md. Sahabuddin’s resignation. Multiple sources related to Bangabhaban claim that he has decided to resign. However, as the Speaker is not in the country, he is unable to submit his resignation as per the constitution. Meanwhile, the President completely rejected the claim of a phone call with ousted former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, saying, ‘This is beyond imagination.’

Rumors of the President’s resignation spread around a Facebook post on Wednesday. Later, various media outlets claimed that the President had a phone call with Sheikh Hasina while she was undergoing treatment in London and that she was asked to resign because of it.

However, the President rejected these claims in a WhatsApp message to a media outlet on Thursday (July 23) afternoon. He said, ‘This is beyond imagination.’

On the other hand, multiple officials of the President’s office and a person close to him told the media that the President has decided to resign. However, as per the constitution, the resignation letter has to be submitted to the Speaker. The process is being delayed as Speaker Hafiz Uddin Ahmad is currently in Thailand for medical treatment.

According to sources in the Parliament Secretariat, the Speaker went to Thailand for medical treatment on July 19. He was supposed to return to the country on July 26, but he can return earlier if necessary.

When asked about the matter, Secretary to the President's Office Md. Nurul Amin said that he has not signed the resignation letter yet. He will be informed if he resigns.

However, a senior official of Bangabhaban said that since the Speaker is not in the country, there is no opportunity to submit the resignation letter right now. The person to whom he will submit the resignation is also not in the country. So there is no opportunity to resign now. However, he has decided to resign - be it for health reasons or mental reasons.

Another person close to the President said, "His Excellency has told his officials that he can clear the floor of Bangabhaban in a couple of days."

According to Article 50(3) of the Constitution, the President can resign by sending a signed letter to the Speaker. And according to Article 54, if the post of President falls vacant, the Speaker will serve as the acting President until a new President is elected.

Meanwhile, State Minister for Foreign Affairs Shama Obaid Islam said on Thursday that the government does not have any specific information about the alleged phone conversation between Sheikh Hasina and the President. He also said that the government will investigate if such a thing happened.

It is worth noting that Md. Shahabuddin was elected President unopposed in 2023 on the nomination of the Awami League. He took oath on April 24, 2023. His five-year term is scheduled to end in April 2028. However, there is intense discussion about his resignation in the recent political situation.