Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer and Opposition Leader Shafiqur Rahman has said the resignation of President Mohammed Shahabuddin has finally removed the “dark shadow of fascism” from the country, though belatedly.
He made the remarks at an emergency press conference organised by Jamaat-e-Islami at the official residence of the opposition leader on Minto Road in Dhaka on Friday evening.
Shafiqur welcomed Parliament Speaker Hafiz Uddin Ahmad for assuming the role of acting president following Shahabuddin’s resignation and called on him to perform his duties in accordance with the Constitution, with neutrality and integrity.
“The resignation of Shahabuddin Chuppu was one of the demands of the mass uprising. He once claimed that Sheikh Hasina had submitted her resignation letter to him, but later denied that statement. Such conduct was inconsistent with the oath taken as president,” Shafiqur said.
“Though delayed, the dark shadow left by fascism has been lifted from the nation,” he added.
The Jamaat chief expressed hope that the acting president would carry out his responsibilities in an impartial manner, assuring that his party would provide all-out support.
“We want the next president to be someone who is not a beneficiary of favouritism, but a person who places the Constitution, democracy and the interests of the people above everything else,” he said.
Shafiqur also criticised Shahabuddin’s tenure, accusing him of failing to fulfil public expectations despite holding the country’s highest constitutional position.
“He played the role of a silent accomplice during the 2024 mass killings,” he alleged.
