Staff Correspondent

The government will decide on Mohammed Shahabuddin's resignation from the post of president based on the consensus of the political parties, in which case it will not be able to ensure that the president will resign in accordance with the constitution and laws.

“Some political parties have expressed the opinion that the president’s resignation may lead to a constitutional crisis. That has been discussed among us. Two senior leaders of the same parties said that there will be no constitutional crisis,” said Environment, Forest and Climate Change Adviser Syeda Rizwana Hasan at a press conference at the Foreign Service Academy following an advisory council meeting chaired by Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus at his office on Thursday.

Stating that the resignation of the president will be a political decision, the adviser said, “The demand (for the president’s resignation) came from the people, and we discussed whether it will be possible for us – a government that resulted from a popular uprising – to follow every aspect of the constitution in this regard, or it will be easier to overcome the barriers if the political parties come to a consensus.

“As this is a political discussion, we do not see it as a legal or constitutional issue, because we are not in a normal environment now. We are in an unusual situation. Now we have to think whether it will be possible to do everything by constitution.”

Asked how many days it will take for a decision on the president's resignation, Adviser Rizwana said it was not possible to fix a time period for that matter.

“It will depend on the political parties which position they will take, what do they tell us or what do they fear? Are those fears realistic? It's not that we're in a hurry, but the matter can't be delayed, because no one wants to remain in limbo for long. There is no scope for delaying the matter especially when a public demand has arisen.

Asked whether the government feels pressure regarding the issue of the president's resignation, the adviser said, “Everything is putting pressure on the government – managing the budget, running the economy, multilateral movements. No one could say anything for so many years, and now want to say everything. We have to listen to them. It cannot be denied that running the government is very stressful, but there is nothing to be dismayed about. An issue has come up and there will be a solution. The solution will be based on consensus.”

Rizwana also said there is a commission on the constitution and many people may have many opinions. Some may want a new constitution, some may want an amended constitution. The commission will look into these issues.

Mahfuj Alam, special assistant to the chief adviser, said a decision on the constitution will be made based on the opinion of the commission and discussions with all the stakeholders.

Explaining the reason for banning Chhatra League, Rizwana said, “We all have witnessed that during different movements – from protests demanding safe roads to all the other latest student movements – we have seen Chhatra League playing the role of terrorist. Those who were in power at that time said Chhatra League is enough to foil those movements. Chhatra League had been used to suppress the movement in a terrorist manner.

“Another reason for banning them is that they have not stopped their activities since the July massacre. They have been convicted several times by the courts. We had to take this decision considering the current rights. There was no discussion of banning any other political organisation. The confiscation of BCL assets was not discussed.”

Responding to a question about banning Awami League, the adviser said there was no discussion among the advisers about banning the party.

In this regard, Mahfuj Alam said proposals have come from political parties to ban Awami League. The government is treating it like any other issue. It is a matter of dialogue.