Shahabuddin quits
President Mohammed Shahabuddin, widely known by his nickname “Chuppu”, resigned from office on Friday, ending days of intense political speculation over his future.
National Parliament Speaker Hafiz Uddin Ahmad has assumed the responsibilities of Acting President in accordance with Article 54 of the Constitution.
According to the Speaker, Shahabuddin submitted his signed resignation letter at 5:01pm on Friday.
“I have accepted the resignation letter,” Hafiz Uddin told a press briefing at the Oath Room of the National Parliament shortly after receiving it.
The briefing had been announced earlier in the day through a press release issued by the Assistant Director of the Public Relations Wing of the Bangladesh Parliament Secretariat.
“In accordance with Article 54 of the Constitution, I have assumed the responsibilities of the president,” the Acting President said.
He added that the National Parliament Secretariat had been instructed to preserve the resignation letter in its official records and complete the necessary administrative formalities.
Weeks of speculation Speculation over Shahabuddin’s departure had intensified in recent days following media reports, citing family sources, that he was considering stepping down.
Multiple sources said Shahabuddin had spoken by telephone with former prime minister Sheikh Hasina during a medical visit to London in May.
Hasina has been living in India since leaving Bangladesh following the July 2024 political upheaval.
The president travelled to London on 9 May and returned on 18 May.
According to the sources, the political atmosphere became increasingly sensitive after reports that Hasina intended to return to Bangladesh in December, adding to pressure surrounding Shahabuddin’s position.
About resignation letter
In his resignation letter, Shahabuddin reflected on his tenure since taking the oath as the 22nd President of Bangladesh on 24 April 2023, stating that he had discharged his constitutional responsibilities with honesty, integrity and full allegiance to the Constitution.
He referred to the constitutional and governance crisis that followed the fall of the previous fascist Awami League government during the student-led mass uprising of August 2024.
He wrote that, under Article 106 of the Constitution, he had sought the opinion of the Appellate Division of the Supreme Court to help resolve the crisis.
Acting on that advice, he said, he constituted the interim government, which subsequently organised the general election to the Jatiya Sangsad in consultation with political parties.
He added that his actions had helped prevent a constitutional vacuum during the transition.
Explaining the reasons for his resignation, Shahabuddin said he had long been suffering from heart disease, hypertension, diabetes and kidney complications.
He also revealed that he had recently been diagnosed with autonomic neuropathy, a condition that occasionally causes him to lose consciousness.
He said the progression of these illnesses, together with the physical and mental limitations they had caused, had made it impossible for him to continue performing the duties of the presidency and that he required long-term medical treatment.
“Therefore, in accordance with Article 50(3) of the Constitution, I hereby resign from the office of the president,” he wrote.
Acting President’s remarks
During the briefing, Acting President Hafiz Uddin also extended his best wishes to Shahabuddin.
He remarked that although Shahabuddin had been elected during the previous mafia government, he had consistently shown support for and respect towards the current democratically elected administration.
With the office of the president now vacant, Hafiz Uddin will continue to discharge the responsibilities of the presidency until a new head of state is elected, as provided under Article 54 of the Constitution.
