TDS Desk:

Convener of the National Citizen Party (NCP) Nahid Islam has stated that President Mohammad Shahabuddin must be impeached in the very first session of the new parliament, and a case must be filed leading to his swift arrest.

He made this demand after visiting the graves of the martyrs of the Pilkhana massacre at the Banani Military Cemetery in the afternoon.

He said, “We believe that in the first session of parliament that will be held, the very first task will be to take steps for the impeachment of this fascist-era president. The ruling party and the opposition in the new national parliament will do this together because we have a national unity against fascism.”

Nahid Islam stated that, during the interim period, there was a demand from the people to change the president, but it was not possible as political parties had been unable to reach a consensus. In his words, “At that time, citing state stability and constitutional vacuum, the president was retained. Now a new government has come, a new parliament has been formed. We believe the president’s departure now is merely a matter of time.”

Sharply criticising the president’s role during the July uprising, he said, “During that brutal massacre, the president did not perform his duty as the guardian of the state. He played a silent and inactive role. We, from the Anti-discrimination Student Movement, went to Bangabhaban demanding quota reform. The genocide occurred due to his silent role and inaction.”

Nahid Islam further alleged, “There have been allegations of financial impropriety against the president even before this. He lacks everything we understand to be the qualities of a president as the guardian of the state, as a dignified and respected personality. Rather, he has been accused of various crimes. Now the time has come to impeach him, remove him, and file a case to arrest him quickly. We believe this is one of the duties of this new government.”

The NCP convener also stated that President Shahabuddin has made negative remarks about former president Ziaur Rahman and former prime minister Khaleda Zia, and the kind of interviews he has given amount to a violation of his oath.

“This president is in no way fit to remain in this post any longer,” he said.

Regarding allegations of the resumption of Awami League activities, Nahid Islam said that, according to NCP leaders Sarjis Alam and Hannan Masud, they have been attacked in various areas.

He said, “The government has also acknowledged this truth, and the government has said it will take legal action because the Awami League’s activities are banned.”

Without ruling out the possibility of a secret understanding between the new government and the Awami League, he said, “We don’t know if there is any secret deal between this new government and the Awami League. But from the activities, it seems so — whether it’s a vote deal in the election or something else. Because without the cooperation of the administration, these activities are not possible.”

Directly warning the government, he said, “We want the rule of law — a very clear statement. If there is deviation from the rule of law and the administration allows the legally banned party to open offices or conduct activities, then we will have to call for resistance from the people. We are waiting — will the government side with the rule of law, or does it want to foment another civil war?”