President Mohammed Shahabuddin has accused former Prime Minister Mohammed Yunus of conspiring to remove him from office through unconstitutional means and attempting to destabilize the country by creating a constitutional vacuum.
In an interview with Bangladeshi newspaper Kaler Kantho, President Shahabuddin alleged that Yunus disregarded constitutional procedures during his tenure and sought to create a constitutional void in the country. He stated that several conspiracies had taken place over the past one and a half years that threatened peace and order.
Allegations of Failure to Fulfil Constitutional Responsibilities
The President said Yunus did not engage in constitutionally required consultations during the interim government period. He stated that he was not informed about foreign visits or state matters, which he described as part of his constitutional responsibilities. Shahabuddin said, "Whenever he travelled abroad, it was necessary for him to meet me upon return and inform me of the outcomes, but he never did so."
He further alleged that Yunus travelled abroad between 14 and 15 times without once informing him of the outcomes or meeting him, thereby ignoring the constitutional role of the President.
Restrictions on Presidential Engagements
President Shahabuddin stated that during the past one and a half years he felt like a prisoner in the palace. He said two planned foreign visits, to Kosovo and Qatar, were halted by the Yunus administration. He added that during this period he was neither provided accurate information about government affairs nor included in significant decisions.
According to the President, Yunus’s conduct was contrary to constitutional rules and affected the country’s political stability. He said such incidents should be treated seriously in order to strengthen democratic institutions and processes.
Impact on National Stability
President Shahabuddin said the alleged conspiracies were intended to create a constitutional vacuum in Bangladesh and weaken national stability. He stated that these activities severely affected trust between the government and the President.
He said adherence to constitutional rules and procedures is mandatory for all leaders and warned that failure by any office-holder to fulfil constitutional responsibilities could result in a political crisis.
Formation of New Government
The allegations have surfaced days after a new government led by Tarique Rahman assumed office. Rahman’s party recently won the election under the leadership of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) and has begun implementing new political arrangements. The President said strengthening stability and the constitutional framework should now be the government’s priority.
