UNB, Dhaka:

The push to remove President Mohammed Shahabuddin by student leaders of the anti-discrimination movement appear to be faltering due to strong opposition from the BNP, which perceives it as a ploy to delay the national election.

While Jamaat and various Islamic parties have expressed their support for the ouster of the President, BNP senior leaders said they have successfully garnered backing from most of its allies to oppose this initiative, which poses the risk of triggering a constitutional and political crisis.

This division complicates efforts to reach a political consensus on the issue, as the interim government emphasises the necessity of such an agreement before making this crucial decision.

The BNP leaders said they are also trying to persuade Jamaat to distance itself from the position of unseating the President, warning that any rift among those who removed Sheikh Hasina’s government could create an opportunity for the deposed Awami League to make a political comeback.

The BNP Standing Committee, the party’s highest policy-making body, held a detailed discussion on Monday regarding the issue, following Saturday’s meeting with student leaders. They decided to stick to their position, viewing the attempt to oust the President as a plot to create a deep crisis that could disrupt a smooth democratic transition.

Speaking to UNB, a BNP Standing Committee member, wishing anonymity, said, “We discussed the President’s removal at our meeting with great importance, as seven student leaders urged our party leaders on this issue. All members agreed to remain firm on our previous stance; we won’t budge an inch.”

He said they believe there is a deep-rooted plot behind the move to remove the President, aimed at prolonging the interim government’s tenure and jeopardising the democratic transition.

The BNP leader expressed concern that if the government breaches the constitution by removing the President, it will create an opportunity to complicate the situation with unnecessary reforms and issues, which will ultimately delay the national election.

Under such a situation, he mentioned that they spoke with most parties and alliances that joined the simultaneous movement with the BNP, convincing them not to support the move to remove the President.

Besides, the BNP policymaker said they have decided to hold rallies in various divisions and districts next month to pressure the government into announcing a roadmap for the national election as soon as possible, in order to establish a democratic and elected government.

BNP Standing Committee member Iqbal Hasan Mahmud Tuku said their party believes the government’s main agenda should be to restore democracy through elections, curb rising prices of essentials, and normalise the law and order situation. “But why has the issue of the President suddenly emerged?” he asked.

He also said it would not be logical to make any decisions that disregard the constitution, as this could lead to a serious constitutional or political crisis in the country.

Talking to UNB, Saiful Haque, general secretary of the Bangladesh-er Biplobi Workers Party and coordinator of Ganatantra Mancha, an alliance of the BNP, said that student leaders approached them seeking support for the removal of the President.

“We told them it should be done with national consensus. We also emphasised that no steps should be taken that could create a political or constitutional crisis and undermine the unity of political parties,” he stated.

Saiful said the interim government’s top priority should be to complete the necessary reforms related to the electoral process and take steps to hold the election. “If the President is ousted, we believe the entire process will become complicated, ultimately delaying the national election.”

“So, we think the government should not focus on the issue of removing the President, as the country’s situation is still unstable.”

Nurul Haque Nur, president of Gono Odhikar Parishad, stated that their party also believes various crises could arise if the President is ousted at this moment. “The interim government is currently unable to manage the situation, so we’re not in favour of making any decisions regarding the removal of the President at this time.”

Shahadat Hossain Selim, spokesperson for the 12-party alliance, another coalition of the BNP, stated that they also held a meeting with the student leaders regarding the President’s ouster. “We informed them if the President is overthrown without consensus among the political parties it would harm national unity and create constitutional and other crises.”

He said they also conveyed to the students that this move would make the national election uncertain.

He said they also conveyed to the students that if the President’s position becomes vacant now, it will make the national election uncertain.

Fariduzzaman Farhad, chairman of the National People’s Party (NPP) and coordinator of Jatiyatabadi Samamona Jote, another alliance of the BNP, said they do not want the President should to be removed by force or through unconstitutional means. “It should only be done if there is a national consensus among the political parties. But we don’t see any such possibility, as most parties are against this move.”

Earlier, BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir said the interim government should operate within the constitutional framework avoiding any imprudent steps regarding the removal of the President.