NCP calls for impeachment, arrest of President Shahabuddin
'We believe steps should be taken to impeach him in the first session of the new parliament,' says Nahid
National Citizen Party (NCP) Convener and Opposition Chief Whip Nahid Islam has called for the impeachment and immediate arrest of President Mohammed Shahabuddin, accusing him of failing to act during the July killings and violating constitutional oath.
"President Shahabuddin did not take any effective measures to prevent the mass killings in July. As the guardian of the state, he remained silent and inactive at that time. He cannot evade responsibility for this," Nahid said while speaking to reporters after paying tribute and offering prayers at the graves of those killed in the Pilkhana massacre at the Banani Military Graveyard today (25 February).
"We believe steps should be taken to impeach him in the first session of the new parliament. Both the government and opposition will carry out this task together, as there is national unity against fascism," he said.
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He claimed that President Shahabuddin had earlier been "retained due to political disagreements and concerns over a constitutional vacuum", but that situation had now changed.
"Now that a new parliament has been formed, his departure is only a matter of time," he said.
The NCP convener also accused the president of making negative remarks about former president Ziaur Rahman and former prime minister Khaleda Zia, saying such comments were inconsistent with his position and amounted to a violation of his oath.
He further alleged that various criminal and corruption accusations had been raised against the president, making his removal and arrest a responsibility of the new government.
Nahid also claimed that NCP leaders and activists, including Sarjis Alam and Hannan Masud, had come under attack in different areas.
He alleged that although the Awami League had been banned legally, it was still able to carry out activities, which he said would not be possible without administrative support.
"We do not know whether there has been any secret understanding between the government and the Awami League. But if the government allows the banned party to open offices or carry out activities, we will call for strong resistance on behalf of the people," he said.
He also urged the government to uphold the rule of law, warning that failure to do so could push the country toward a situation resembling civil conflict.
