Bangladesh President Mohammed Shahabuddin has openly expressed his intention to step down after the February 12 general election, saying he feels “humiliated” and increasingly sidelined by the Muhammad Yunus-led interim government. His remarks, given in a WhatsApp interview to Reuters and later echoed in local media, have triggered sharp debate over the state of constitutional authority and political manoeuvring in Dhaka.

 

 

Shahabuddin, 75, who was elected unopposed in 2023 as the Awami League’s nominee, said he has remained in office only to maintain constitutional continuity until the upcoming vote. The president described a series of actions by the interim administration that he believes were meant to undermine his authority’

 

 

Although the presidency in Bangladesh is largely ceremonial, Shahabuddin gained unexpected prominence after the student-led uprising of August 2024 toppled Sheikh Hasina’s government, leaving him the last standing constitutional office-bearer.