Facebook post fuels speculation over Bangladesh President Shahabuddin's ‘possible’ resignation

Bangabhaban and the government offer no confirmation as speculation spreads online

Speculation over the possible resignation of Bangladesh President Mohammed Shahabuddin has spread across social media after a Facebook post suggested he could step down on health grounds within days.

However, as of Wednesday evening, neither Bangabhaban nor the government had issued any official statement confirming such a move.

Asked about the speculation, a senior government minister and a senior BNP leader separately told bdnews24.com they had no knowledge of any resignation plan.

Another cabinet minister responded to a text message from bdnews24.com with a single-word reply: "Nonsense".

In a Facebook post on Wednesday, UK-based Bangladeshi journalist Zulkarnain Saer wrote Shahabuddin was expected to resign citing health reasons and claimed that Cabinet Secretary Nasimul Ghani, rather than a senior BNP leader, was among the preferred candidates to succeed him.

Seeking clarification, bdnews24.com contacted the president's Press Secretary Sarwar Alam. Unable to reach him by phone, the news outlet sent a text message.

In his reply, Sarwar said: "Like you, I am also seeing the reports."

A Bangabhaban official, speaking to bdnews24.com, said the president had on several occasions expressed concern about his health during internal discussions.

"The president often tells us that his health is not good and that he may take a decision at any time," the official said.

The official, however, stopped short of confirming that Shahabuddin was preparing to resign.