Bangladesh Khelafat Majlish said former president Md Sahabuddin’s resignation should have occurred much earlier and does not end his accountability. In a joint statement published on July 24, the party’s amir, Maulana Mamunul Haque, and secretary general, Maulana Jalaluddin Ahmad, called for an impartial and transparent investigation into allegations against him, followed by action under the law.

The leaders said Sahabuddin had lost the moral and political legitimacy to remain president after the fall of the then government through the July mass uprising. They said political parties and participants in the uprising had demanded his resignation from that time. They also alleged that the BNP initially did not support the resignation demand for political reasons, and that he was compelled to resign only after the party changed its position.

The statement alleged inconsistencies in Sahabuddin’s remarks about Sheikh Hasina’s resignation, saying these raised questions about his neutrality and constitutional responsibilities. Khelafat Majlish also cited allegations of misuse of state power, constitutional violations and involvement in controversial activities. It urged legal measures against all those involved in past abuses of power, use of state institutions for partisan interests and deprivation of people’s rights.