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Published : 11 Dec 2025, 11:02 PM
As the schedule for the 13th parliamentary election is announced, President Mohammed Shahabuddin becomes unexpectedly vocal, offering what sounds like a farewell message in low spirits.
He told bdnews24.com that he no longer “feels good” in the position and may resign once a new government takes office after the election.
Shahabuddin assumed office for a five-year term on Apr 24, 2023, during the Awami League government. A former commissioner of the Anti-Corruption Commission, he was once widely known by the nickname “Chuppu”.
As head of state, he serves as commander-in-chief of the armed forces, though the role is largely ceremonial, with executive authority resting in the hands of the prime minister and the cabinet.
Into 16 months of his tenure, he found himself in an extraordinary situation. A student-led uprising toppled the Awami League government, and the then prime minister Sheikh Hasina left for India.
Amid the sweeping changes that erased almost every sign of the Hasina era, the 76-year-old president remained in Bangabhaban.
He had to issue the order dissolving parliament, administer the oath to the interim government led by Muhammad Yunus, and sign the ordinances necessary to give effect to its decisions.
In October, several groups that supported the Uprising staged fierce protests calling for his resignation. But the government did not pursue his removal, citing the need to avoid a “constitutional crisis”.
Except for major state occasions, Shahabuddin rarely steps outside Bangabhaban, and journalists have almost no access to him.
On Thursday, as the election schedule was published, he unexpectedly gave an interview to Reuters over WhatsApp. “I am keen to leave. I am interested to go out,” he said.
bdnews24.com later contacted him directly, and he answered the call himself.
Asked about his intention to resign, Shahabuddin replied: “This is quite normal news. If an elected government comes and says you will not stay, if they appoint a new president… this is not unheard of anywhere in the world, nor in Bangladesh.”
When asked when he wishes to resign, he said: “When the new government comes… if the new government asks, requests.”
Why is he thinking about resignation now? “I don’t feel good,” he replied.
He declined to elaborate during the call. But his interview with Reuters offers context.
The president said for nearly seven months, Yunus had not met him in any capacity, his press department had been taken away, and Banngladeshi embassies in several countries had removed his photographs.
He said this “sends the wrong message”, leading people to think the president might be removed.
“I felt deeply humiliated,” he told Reuters.
Shahabuddin said he wrote to Yunus about the removal of his photographs but no action was taken.
“I am keen to leave. I am interested to go out,” he reiterated to Reuters.
“Until elections are held, I should continue,” Shahabuddin said. “I am upholding my position because of the constitutionally held presidency.”
