The BNP has held discussions with leaders from the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement and Citizens’ Committee regarding the removal of President Md. Shahabuddin, though it has yet to reach a final decision on the matter. BNP will make its decision known after internal party discussions.
On Saturday, a three-member BNP delegation led by BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir met with seven leaders from the Anti-Discrimination and Citizens’ Committee at the BNP Chairperson’s office in Gulshan.
Following the meeting, Hasnat Abdullah, Convener of the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement, stated, “On October 23, we called for a National Student Unity. Several democratic parties, under our leadership, initiated a movement that led to the initial phase of removing Sheikh Hasina, marking the beginning of an anti-fascism uprising. However, the next obstacle is now the removal of President Md. Shahabuddin.”
He further explained, “We are consulting with political parties on a new political framework for the country, and today we had discussions with the BNP. We addressed three issues: the formation and proclamation of a Second Republic, the expedited removal of President Md. Shahabuddin to resolve the political crisis, and strategies for managing the government while preserving national unity.”
According to Hasnat, BNP listened attentively and assured them that the message would be taken up within the party forum, and the BNP would later inform them of its decision.
He added that Jamaat-e-Islami had expressed agreement with them on the removal of the president. Similarly, he stated that they had discussed the same issue with Islami Andolan Bangladesh, which also supports the removal of the president on moral grounds.
Hasnat Abdullah further mentioned that upcoming meetings will address these matters with the Democracy Platform, the 12-Party Alliance, and the Gana Odhikar Parishad.
The BNP Media Cell reported that seven members from the Anti-Discrimination and Citizens’ Committee attended the meeting, though nine individuals were introduced to the media afterward as representatives of the National Citizens’ Committee.
These representatives included: Hasnat Abdullah, Convener of the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement; spokesperson Umama Fatema; Member Secretary Arif Sohel; Chief Organizer Abdul Hannan Masud; Coordinator Rifat Rashid; Convener of the National Citizens’ Committee Nasiruddin Patwari; spokesperson Samanta Sharmin; Member Secretary Akhtar Hossain; and member Ariful Islam Adib.
