Leaders of the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement and like-minded platform the Jatiya Nagorik Committee have started meeting with political parties to build consensus on removing President Mohammed Shahabuddin from office.
So far, the two organizations have held separate meetings with leaders of the BNP, Jamaat-e-Islami, and Islami Andolan Bangladesh (IAB). On Sunday, the student leaders held additional meetings with the Jatiya Party, Gono Odhikar Parishad, Ganatantra Mancha, and the 12-party alliance to discuss the same agenda.
Discussions around removing President Shahabuddin have sparked significant divisions among political parties.
Hasnat Abdullah, the convener of the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement, said that, during their meeting with Jamaat and IAB, the groups reached an understanding on several points. He said Jamaat had agreed that the president lacks the moral standing to continue in his role.
However, BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir advised against making hasty decisions regarding the presidency. "If we are to consolidate Bangladesh's revolution, we believe it is essential to work within the constitutional process, avoiding rigid approaches,” he told Dhaka Tribune.
On Saturday, leaders of the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement and the Jatiya Nagorik Committee met with Mirza Fakhrul to discuss their demand for the president's removal. Although the BNP expressed no support for President Shahabuddin, they raised concerns about the potential consequences of his removal and the underlying motivations for it.
In the meeting, Hasnat Abdullah confirmed that discussions included national unity, the concept of a Second Republic, and a new political system. The BNP said it would review these topics internally before offering an official position.
When asked about BNP's stance on the president's removal, party leaders indicated that the issue would be deliberated within BNP's highest forum, with a final position to be announced afterward. The party noted that a presidential vacancy could lead to a constitutional and political crisis, which they wish to avoid.
The BNP leaders clarified that they are advancing these discussions in stages and will soon finalize their position. Mirza Fakhrul emphasized the need for electoral reforms to address the presidential issue, calling for an impartial election and swift election-centric reforms.
While the primary topic with student leaders focused on the president's removal, they also discussed broader issues concerning the political landscape, upcoming national elections, and the constitutional role of political parties.
Mirza Fakhrul said: "We continue to advocate for timely elections and the transfer of power to a constitutionally valid political entity."
BNP Standing Committee member Salahuddin Ahmed and Joint Secretary General Shahid Uddin Chowdhury Annie were also present at the meeting with students.
Despite these talks, the student leaders and the citizens committee remain firm in their demand, aiming to increase pressure on the interim government to remove the press.
Muhammad Nasiruddin Patwari, Convener of the Jatiya Nagorik Committee, said: "The President must be removed. However, we have not set a deadline. National unity remains essential to meet the people's expectations."
Jamaat prioritizes unity
According to Jamaat sources, the party has agreed in principle with the student leaders' call for the president’s removal but supports its implementation based on political consensus.
Apart from Sarjis Alam, the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement leaders who met with the BNP also met with Jamaat leaders on Friday. Jamaat’s Secretary General Mia Ghulam Parwar, Nayeb-e-Ameer Dr Syed Abdullah Mohammad Taher, and Assistant Secretary General AHM Hamidur Rahman Azad attended this meeting.
Student leaders said these discussions aim to avoid any potential crises and explore pathways to strengthen national unity. Hasnat Abdullah remarked: "We are continuously engaging with prominent political parties that have historically participated in popular uprisings."
Meanwhile, the government’s Advisory Council is also examining the issue. Following protests by some small groups outside Bangabhaban for two days, Adviser Md Nahid Islam said they would build for political consensus and asked people to call off protests.
Although student leaders are ramping up pressure, the government is cautious, believing that unilateral decisions outside political consensus could increase complications. Consequently, the Advisory Council has opted to seek a resolution through cooperation with political parties.