Prime Minister’s political adviser and BNP senior joint secretary general Ruhul Kabir Rizvi said he had not expected the president to resign. He made the remarks on Saturday after paying tribute at the graves of Ziaur Rahman and Khaleda Zia with 12 BNP leaders appointed to important positions in government, semi-government and autonomous institutions. Rizvi said media discussion and coverage of the issue had ultimately been followed by the resignation.

According to Rizvi, the president wrote in his resignation letter that his health had deteriorated and that he had become seriously ill. He said BNP knew only this information and would remain within those limits. Asked who would become the next president, Rizvi said the matter would be decided by the party’s top policymaking forum and executive committee, adding that he had no personal knowledge of it. He also said BNP had no official information regarding media discussions about the president.

Rizvi said the newly assigned BNP leaders had long been involved in party politics and were qualified for their posts. He expressed hope they would work with honesty, dedication and efficiency. He also referred to commitments on family, farmer and health cards, as well as programmes aimed at expanding employment opportunities for young people.