Bangladesh to have new president?
Dhaka : Speculation is rife in Bangladesh over the fate of President Iajuddin Ahmed, with reports that Prime Minister Khaleda Zia may opt for a new incumbent who could "deliver" when the country goes to the polls next year.
The president has just returned home after a heart surgery in Singapore.
Several names are doing the rounds, including Jamiruddin Sircar, speaker of the Jatiya Sangsad and who officiated as acting president in Ahmed's absence, Finance Minister Saifur Rahman and Law Minister Moudud Ahmed, besides of Aminul Haq, Khandokar Mahbubuddin Ahmed, M.K. Anwar and Nazmul Huda, in case a plan for his replacement is pushed forward, the Bangladesh Observer said quoting sources in the government.
But the ultimate choice rests with Khaleda Zia, the chairperson of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), the newspaper surmised.
Elected on Sept 6, 2002, Ahmed has 15 months to go in office.
The matter of replacing the president was once a serious allegation by Leader of the Opposition and former prime minister Sheikh Hasina. It has now gained momentum with reports quoting sources from the BNP, including ministers and lawmakers.
They say Zia would not like to take chances when, as per the constitution's provision, she would have to resign and make way for a caretaker government three months before the polls.
Hasina has said Zia herself wants to be the president to be able to manipulate the polls.
BNP sources told the daily "They are looking for a new president as its policymakers are convinced that the health of President Iajuddin Ahmed will not allow him to continue."
These sources said though many of its policymakers prefer the acting president Jamiruddin Sircar for the post, some at the top want to pick "a more loyal person" for the post.
New Age newspaper also speculated about Zia wanting "a more loyal person" than Sarkar.
Preferring anonymity, a member of the BNP top brass said: "Now the matter of consideration is the health condition of the president. His condition is not good enough to absorb the pressure that would generate ahead of the national election."
"He may face troublesome situations during the caretaker government, which is scheduled to assume the charge at the end of October following the resignation of the coalition government."
The BNP source said the policymakers want to give a 15-day time to the president "for mental preparation" to resign from his post willingly.
Political turmoil has compounded with the Election Commission embroiled in a controversy. Chief Election Commissioner M.A. Aziz has declined to carry out revision of voters' list according to the directives of the Supreme Court.
