President Mohammed Shahabuddin has said that while he heard about Sheikh Hasina’s resignation as Prime Minister, he has no documentary evidence to confirm it.
"I tried many times [to collect the resignation letter] but failed. Maybe she didn’t have the time," the president remarked in a conversation with Manab Zamin's Chief Editor, Matiur Rahman Chowdhury.
The exchange was published in the daily's political magazine "Janatar Chokh" Sunday.
During the conversation, Matiur Rahman Chowdhury sought clarity on the status of Hasina’s resignation, following her departure from the country on August 5 amid a student-led mass uprising.
According to section 57(a) of the constitution, a prime minister's resignation becomes official only when the letter is handed directly to the president.
However, President Shahabuddin revealed that on the morning of August 5, the Bangabhaban received a call from Hasina’s residence, saying she would visit to meet him. Preparations began for her visit, but an hour later, another call informed them that she would no longer be coming.
"At that point, there was unrest everywhere, and I didn’t know what to expect," the president shared, adding that he asked the Military Secretary to look into the matter, but no updates were available. "We were even watching television scrolls for news," he recalled.
Eventually, the president heard that the Sheikh Hasina had left the country without informing him directly.
When Army Chief General Waker visited the Bangabhaban, the president inquired about the resignation but received the same answer: "I heard she resigned." Shahabuddin noted that perhaps she didn't have the time to formally submit the letter.
In the aftermath, when the situation stabilised, the cabinet secretary sought a copy of the resignation letter, but Shahabuddin reiterated that he too was searching for it. "There is no room for debate anymore," he said. "The prime minister has left, and that is the truth."
To avoid any future confusion, Shahabuddin sought an opinion from the Supreme Court. On August 8, the Appellate Division, led by then Chief Justice Obaidul Hasan, confirmed that an interim government could be formed to prevent a constitutional vacuum. It also permitted the president to swear in a chief adviser and other advisers to ensure the smooth functioning of the executive.
However, after Sheikh Hasina’s departure from Bangladesh, President Shahabuddin in his address to the nation on August 5, had said, "Dear countrymen, Assalamu Alaikum. You are aware that Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has submitted her resignation letter to me, and I have accepted it."