'He Tried To Keep Me Completely In The Dark': Bangladesh President Shahabuddin Slams Mohd Yunus

Last Updated:February 23, 2026, 09:57 IST

Bangladesh President Mohammed Shahabuddin has accused Muhammad Yunus of sidelining the presidency, violating constitutional norms and attempting to politically isolate him.

Bangladesh President Mohammed Shahabuddin has accused former chief adviser Muhammad Yunus of sidelining the presidency, violating constitutional norms and attempting to curtail his role during the tenure of the interim government, according to an interview published by Bengali daily Kaler Kantho.

The President alleged that Yunus neither maintained institutional coordination nor kept him informed about key state decisions, including foreign visits, agreements and policy actions, and claimed that repeated efforts were made to politically and administratively isolate him.

In the interview, Shahabuddin alleged that Yunus failed to follow constitutional provisions requiring regular consultation with the President.

“The constitution says that whenever he goes on a foreign visit, he must meet the President after returning and inform me in writing about the discussions and outcomes. He travelled abroad 14 to 15 times but did not inform me even once," he said.

The President further claimed he was kept completely unaware of major state matters, including an agreement signed with the United States.

“I knew nothing about it. Such a state agreement must be communicated to the President. That is a constitutional obligation. But he neither informed me verbally nor in writing," Shahabuddin told the newspaper.

Alleging deliberate marginalisation, Shahabuddin said Yunus avoided engagement with him despite the President initiating the process that led to the formation of the interim administration.

“I was the source of the process through which he became chief adviser, yet he never coordinated with me. He did not come to see me even once and tried to keep me completely in the dark," he said.

The President also alleged that his foreign engagements were blocked without consultation.

Referring to invitations from Kosovo and Qatar, he said officials drafted letters declining the visits in his name.

“A letter was prepared saying I was extremely busy with state work and therefore could not attend. No discussion was held with me before preparing it," he said, adding sarcastically, “Does a President remain that busy under our constitution?"

Shahabuddin further claimed that attempts were made to erase his public visibility both at home and abroad.

“They did not want my name to appear anywhere. They tried to keep me in darkness so that people would not know or recognise me," he said, alleging that he was prevented from attending university convocations and other national events traditionally presided over by the head of state.

In one incident cited in the interview, Shahabuddin alleged that his official photographs were removed overnight from Bangladeshi missions abroad after an adviser objected during a foreign visit.

“Across the world, embassies and high commissions display the President’s photograph because the President represents the state.

That long-standing tradition was ended overnight," he said, adding that he viewed it as “perhaps the first step toward removing me."

The President also accused the interim government of dismantling Bangabhaban’s press operations after a routine courtesy meeting with newly elected members of the Dhaka Reporters Unity was reported in newspapers.

“They forcefully removed three officials, the press secretary, deputy press secretary and assistant press secretary. Even photographers who had worked here for 30 years were withdrawn," he said.

“We cannot even issue a press release now," he added.

Shahabuddin claimed that political and institutional pressure was repeatedly applied to remove him from office, but those efforts ultimately failed.

He alleged that at one stage there was even a plan to replace him through unconstitutional means by installing a former chief justice.

“An adviser approached that judge, but he refused, saying constitutionally the president stands above and he could not take the position unlawfully," he said.

The President also described a tense security situation during an October 22, 2024, siege of Bangabhaban, saying mobs attempted to storm the premises.

“My blood may be shed at Bangabhaban, but I will preserve constitutional continuity," he said, adding that the army provided three layers of security and eventually controlled the situation.

Shahabuddin credited opposition BNP leaders and the armed forces with supporting him during what he described as a politically volatile period.

“They assured me they were not in favour of removing the president through unconstitutional means," he said, adding that military leaders told him, “Your defeat would mean the defeat of the armed forces."

Despite the tensions, Shahabuddin said he chose to remain in office to uphold constitutional order.

“I endured everything with firmness only to maintain constitutional continuity," he told Kaler Kantho, alleging that sustained efforts were made to weaken the presidency but ultimately did not succeed.

News world 'He Tried To Keep Me Completely In The Dark': Bangladesh President Shahabuddin Slams Mohd Yunus

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