Bangladesh President Mohammed Shahbuddin has accused the interim government led by Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus of deliberately isolating him and violating constitutional duties, according to a report in the vernacular newspaper Kaler Kantho.

Speaking days after Tariq Rahman was sworn in as the country’s new prime minister, Shahbuddin said he was kept in the dark about critical state decisions and foreign engagements during Yunus’s administration. He alleged that the interim government did not inform him about the 14 to 15 foreign trips Yunus made, despite constitutional mandates requiring the president to be updated after such visits.

“The Constitution says whenever he goes on a foreign visit, he must meet the President after returning and inform me (the President) in writing about the discussions and the outcomes,” Shahbuddin said. He claimed that the president was never informed about key agreements, including a recent tariff deal with the United States.

Shahbuddin also highlighted the removal of his press department and portraits from Bangladeshi embassies around the world as further evidence of his marginalization. He said attempts were made to remove him from the presidential post, citing pressure from leaders of the mass uprising that led to the interim government.

He added that there were efforts to reinstate a former Chief Justice as president, but the person reportedly refused the role. Despite this, he said he received full support from the Bangladesh National Party (BNP), led by Prime Minister Tariq Rahman, during his ‘tough times.’

“BNP leadership stood firm with me,” Shahbuddin said. He said he initially had questions about Rahman but came to view him as a genuine leader.

The president also criticized the handling of his foreign engagements, stating that he was blocked from participating in events without consultation. He recounted being asked to sign a letter rejecting an invitation to Qatar, a move he strongly opposed.

“I, however, sent a counter letter to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, questioning the move,” he said. He added that he received no response from the ministry or its advisors on the matter.