Shahabuddin’s role from Aug 5 to 8, 2024 was very important: Salahuddin

Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed today said Mohammed Shahabuddin faced criticism for his role before the July Uprising, but he deserves praise for the important role he played from August 5 to 8, 2024, before the interim government was formed.

He said BNP views the presidency as a constitutional institution, not through the individual holding the office.

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“We see it as an institution. During his [Shahabuddin’s] tenure, we saw him carry out his duties with proper dignity. And he cooperated with our government,” Salahuddin told The Daily Star after the president’s resignation.

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“As he was a president elected during the rule of a fascist and autocratic government, there were criticisms from that time,” he said.

Salahuddin, also a BNP Standing Committee member, praised Shahabuddin’s role in maintaining constitutional continuity.

Replying to a question, Salahuddin said, “The role he played from August 5 to August 8, 2024, before the interim government was formed, was very important.”

“His role during the crisis…his important role in keeping the state on the constitutional path deserves praise,” he added.

Salahuddin further said, “It is also true that during the interim government, the president was not allowed to perform his duties properly and with dignity.”

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Noting that the president had the constitutional right to resign, he said, “The president may resign for health reasons or for any other reason. He has that option. He [Shahabuddin] has resigned and submitted his resignation letter to the speaker under the constitutional rules. It will now be published in a gazette.”

He said the Election Commission will take steps to elect a new president.

“The presidential election must be held within 90 days. Under the rules and the constitution, the speaker will carry out the duties of the president during this period,” he added.

Saying that everything had been done according to the procedure, Salahuddin said, “Now we have to wait until a new president is elected.”