President Shahabuddin Open to Stay or Step Down Voluntarily

File photo of President Shahabuddin.

President Mohammed Shahabuddin has said he will remain in office if the BNP-led government wishes him to stay, but is prepared to step down voluntarily if they prefer a change.

He made the remarks in an interview at Bangabhaban on Friday night (20 February), clarifying earlier comments that had sparked speculation about his future.

“Why would it come to that? I am a conscious person. If they think I should stay, then I will stay. And if they say it is better for me to step aside, then I will step down honourably on my own,” he said.

On recent discussions in political and media circles regarding a possible change in the presidency, he added: “The statement is being explained differently. It needs to be understood in the context in which I said it.”

Reflecting on the past 18 months, he noted the pressures he faced under the previous government. “Over that period, I was put under considerable mental pressure and humiliated on various occasions. That is why I felt frustrated and even thought of leaving,” he said, adding that his comments were later misrepresented as though his tenure had ended.

He reiterated that his constitutionally elected five-year term runs until 2028 but confirmed he would step down voluntarily if an elected government felt it was in the country’s best interest.

Asked about newly elected Prime Minister Tarique Rahman, Shahabuddin said he had met him briefly and found encouraging signs. “I saw statesmanlike qualities. From his early activities, one can be hopeful. I believe he will work for the good of the country.”

Expressing relief following the formation of the new government, the president said, “Now I am completely free of pressure and burden. I spent one and a half years under a suffocating situation, concerned mainly with maintaining constitutional continuity and the security of Bangabhaban. That pressure is now gone.”