Abdul Hamid urges politicians to love people to bring quality change in politics

Outgoing President M Abdul Hamid has called upon politicians to do politics with love for the people of the country to bring about a quality change in politics. 

"Politicians should do politics through loving the people. Only then will there be a qualitative change in the politics," Hamid told journalists soon after the oath-taking ceremony was held at Bangabhaban's Durbar Hall today, reports BSS.

The outgoing president said he was involved in politics throughout his life with love for the countrymen.

President Hamid said he is the lone president in Bangladesh who held the post for two consecutive terms ranging over 10 years. Besides, he remained as acting president for 41 days.

Responding to journalists, he said as he goes on retirement from today, he will spend his time writing books. He also mentioned that he would not get involved in politics in the coming days. 

Recalling the people's tremendous support in his long political career in different times, Abdul Hamid said, "The people of the country have given me the highest respect. And I want to keep up their trust and respect."

The outgoing president, moved into his own residence at the capital's Nikunja along with his family members in a ceremonial motorcade under the supervision of the Special Security Force (SSF).

Bangabhaban officials and staff queued up in two lines on both sides of the vehicle to bid him farewell and showered flower petals on his open jeep from Bangabhaban to its main gate, where he got onboard the presidential car.

The outgoing President reached his Nikunja residence at about 2pm, where he was welcomed by his family members and relatives with bouquets.

Reaching his private residence at Nikunja Hamid expressed his gratitude to the people and particularly to the media for their heartfelt support "in my political life". 

The farewell came shortly after President Mohammad Shahabuddin was sworn in as the 22nd President of the country, an event followed by the swapping of the chairs by the new and the outgoing presidents.

The ceremonial change of the chairs was part of the presidential palace ritual to mark the handing over of the charge of the republic to the new president. 
 
President Hamid is the lone President in Bangladesh who held the post for two consecutive terms. He retired after spending 10 years and 41 days as President.

He took the responsibility of the President in-charge on 13 March, 2013 while the then President Md Zillur Rahman was under treatment in Singapore.

After the death of Zillur Rahman, he became the acting President on 20 March, 2013.

Hamid was born on 1 January, 1944 at Kamalpur in Mithamain upazila under Kishoreganj district and made his debut as a political activist in 1959 by joining the then Awami League student front Chhatra League. He joined the Awami League at the end of 1969.

He was elected as Speaker of the Parliament and served the office from 2009-2013 while was he elected to parliament seven times since 1970.

A veteran politician with a colourful career, Hamid for the first time took the responsibility of the President in-charge on 14 March, 2013, when the then President Mohammad Zillur Rahman was under treatment in Singapore and after his death he became the Acting President on March 20, 2013.

President Hamid was sworn in as the 20th President in April 2013 and subsequently the 21st President for the second term on 24 April, 2018.

Earlier today, new President Shahabuddin was administered the oath of office by parliamentary Speaker Shirin Sharmin Chaudhury at the Durbar Hall of Bangabhaban at 11am at an event joined by Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, Chief Justice Hasan Foez Siddique, ministers, lawmakers, foreign diplomats, senior officials and distinguished citizens.