Don't know what the president will or won't do: Speaker
Amid discussion over the possible resignation of the president, Jatiya Sangsad Speaker Hafiz Uddin Ahmad returned home from Thailand today, saying he was unaware of the developments as he had been outside the country.
"I have heard the same thing that you have heard. I do not know what he will or will not do," the speaker told reporters at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport this afternoon.
"I was outside the country. So, I know nothing about who may resign or what has happened here. Now, perhaps, I will be able to find out," he added.
Hafiz Uddin, who cut short his private visit, arrived at the airport on a Biman Bangladesh Airlines flight at 12:10pm.
He had travelled to Bangkok on July 19 for a medical check-up and had been scheduled to return on July 26.
Explaining his early return, the speaker said, "I went to Bangkok on the 19th of this month for my medical check-up. My medical check-up ended yesterday. That is why I have returned home. For now, I have nothing more to say. Thank you, everyone."
When a journalist pointed out that the Speaker would have to assume responsibility if the president resigned, Hafiz Uddin declined to speculate.
"This is a question based on guesswork. So, I do not know what he will or will not do. President is the first person of the country," he said.
The speaker, however, explained the constitutional process that would follow if the president resigned.
"If the president resigns, he will submit his resignation to the speaker, and the Jatiya Sangsad will elect a new president within the next 90 days. This is the constitutional position. Thank you," he said.
"When the president resigns, the speaker performs the duties of acting president. But the Jatiya Sangsad elects the president. That has to be done within three months. This is parliament's position. Thank you."
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