‘Yunus ignored constitutional provisions were unnecessary’

Staff Reporter :

President Mohammed Shahabuddin has alleged that Muhammad Yunus repeatedly failed to follow constitutional requirements during his tenure as chief adviser, and that many ordinances issued at the time were unnecessary and lacked constitutional justification.

In an interview with Kaler Kantho at Bangabhaban on Friday night, Shahabuddin said several constitutional norms were not observed and claimed there had even been attempts to remove him from office through unconstitutional means.

Reflecting on that period, the president said that while some ordinances might have been issued due to urgent circumstances, many were, in his view, unnecessary and lacked proper constitutional basis.

He further alleged that the former chief adviser did not comply with constitutional obligations regarding foreign visits.

“According to the Constitution, whenever the chief adviser travels abroad, upon return he must meet the president and brief him on the outcomes of the visit,” Shahabuddin said.

“He is also required to inform the president in writing about the discussions held, agreements reached and the nature of engagements undertaken.”

“He travelled abroad perhaps 14 to 15 times. Not once did he inform me. Not once did he come to see me,” the president said.

Backing from armed forces and BNP Shahabuddin stated that during that period he received strong support from the armed forces.

“They told me only one thing: ‘Your Excellency, you are the supreme commander of the armed forces. Your defeat would mean the defeat of the entire armed forces. We will prevent that at any cost.’ In the end, they did exactly that. They came to me at different times and boosted my morale,” he said.

He claimed there was also an attempt from within the interim government to remove him from office. On that occasion, he said, the three service chiefs stood by him and conveyed directly to the head of the interim government that they would not allow any unconstitutional action to take place.

When a mob gathered in front of Bangabhaban, the armed forces maintained the same firm position, he added.

The president also said that the top leadership of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) stood by him and pledged to preserve constitutional continuity.

He added that he had long been curious about BNP Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman, but gradually came to regard him as a sincere and cordial individual. During his time of distress, he said, the BNP’s cooperation was absolute.

“I do not know if anyone else had the strength to endure the storm that passed over me,” the president remarked.

Allegations of conspiracy
Shahabuddin claimed that numerous plots to remove him through unconstitutional means ultimately failed because he remained resolute.

“I was targeted for removal in so many ways. But I did not break down under any circumstances.

I said, ‘Let my blood be spilt in Bangabhaban if it must. I will be part of another history. But I will maintain constitutional continuity.’ It was God’s will and my determination,” he said.

Recalling the events of 22 October 2024, he said Bangabhaban was surrounded by protesters from various platforms.

“That night was nightmarish for me. People arrived from all sides on pushcarts and vans via the flyover. They wanted to loot Bangabhaban just like Ganabhaban. We were inside. We had nowhere to flee. The army controlled the situation very firmly,” he said.

He added that Nahid Islam had called him at midnight, saying the protesters were not affiliated with them and that efforts were being made to disperse the crowd.

The president further alleged that the interim government had conspired to unconstitutionally install a former chief justice in his place.

“I have no hesitation in saying today that the interim government conspired to unconstitutionally install a former chief justice in my place. An adviser approached that justice and held an hour-long meeting.

However, the justice refused, saying, ‘He is the president; he is constitutionally above everyone. I cannot occupy that position unconstitutionally.’ That initiative also failed due to the justice’s firmness,” he said.

Shahabuddin also claimed that efforts were made to sideline him.

“They tried to keep me completely in the dark. They did not want the people to know or recognise me. They did not allow me to attend functions abroad or even within the country,” he said.

“They tried until the very end to oust me. When the political initiative failed, the interim government itself took new steps,” the president added.