Environment Adviser Syeda Rizwana Hasan has said on Thursday that the fate of President Mohammed Shahabuddin, whether he will remain in office or step down, will be determined after discussions with various political parties.
"The council will take a decision on the basis of consensus of political parties," the adviser said at a media briefing of the press wing of the Chief Adviser at Foreign Service Academy on Thursday evening.
Shafiqul Alam, press secretary and Mahfuz Alam, the special assistant of the Chief Adviser were also present at the briefing.
"The government has begun consulting with political parties on the president's potential resignation, yes, the advisory council has discussed the issue Today's meeting (Thursday), however, a decision will be made based on the consensus reached during these discussions," she said.
The adviser also said political parties need to make their stance clear in this regard.
She said things depend on the political parties. "It cannot be said that we are in a hurry, but at the same time, there is no scope to delay things."
Rizwana said some political persons have expressed opposition to President Shahabuddin's removal, citing concerns over the vacancy in the president's post at this moment would put "the state in a crisis and create a constitutional vacuum", which the nation does not desire, however, they are not together with one voice, there was some division among them, she said.
Calls for Shahabuddin's resignation started after he was quoted in a recent interview as saying that he heard that former prime minister Sheikh Hasina had resigned, but he did not have any documentary evidence.
Meanwhile, the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement and the Jatiya Nagorik Committee at a press briefing called for national unity for scrapping the 1972 constitution and removal of the president.
Chief Adviser's Press Secretary Shafiqul Alam on Wednesday said the government has not made any decision regarding the removal of the president from office.
"We will inform you of any development regarding the matter," he told reporters after the meeting with the BNP.
The debate regarding the removal of the president started after daily Manab Zamin's political magazine "Janatar Chokh" on Sunday published an article containing the president's remarks about ousted former PM Hasina.