‘I have heard the same thing that you have heard,’ speaker Hafiz Uddin says unaware of president resignation reports

Jatiya Sangsad Speaker Hafiz Uddin Ahmad returned to the country on Friday, saying he was unaware of reports surrounding the possible resignation of President Mohammed Shahabuddin after cutting short a private visit to Thailand.

“I have heard the same thing that you have heard. I do not know what he will or will not do,” the speaker told reporters after arriving at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport in Dhaka.

“I was outside the country. So, I know nothing about who may resign or what has happened here. Now, perhaps, I will be able to find out,” he added.

Hafiz Uddin arrived at 12:10 pm local time on a Biman Bangladesh Airlines flight from Bangkok, where he had traveled on July 19 for a medical check-up. He had originally been scheduled to return on July 26.

Explaining his early return, the speaker said his medical examination had concluded ahead of schedule.

“My medical check-up ended yesterday. That is why I have returned home. For now, I have nothing more to say,” he said.

Asked about speculation that he would assume the role of acting president if Shahabuddin resigned, Hafiz Uddin declined to comment on what he described as hypothetical scenarios.

“This is a question based on guesswork. So, I do not know what he will or will not do. The president is the first person of the country,” he said.

The speaker, however, outlined the constitutional procedure in the event of a presidential resignation.

“If the president resigns, he will submit his resignation to the speaker, and the Jatiya Sangsad will elect a new president within the next 90 days,” he said.

“During that period, the speaker performs the duties of acting president. The Jatiya Sangsad must elect a new president within three months. This is the constitutional position,” he added.