In fact, people of almost all walks of life are now anything but certain regarding the present state of affairs. People are also equally worried about the fate of the current ailing president. Even the die-hard supporters of the current government will recognise the fact that the government is largely responsible for the uncalled-for smokescreen that has resulted from the government's hide and seek game regarding President Iajuddin Ahmed and Acting (temporary!) President Jamiruddin Sircar.

The coalition government seems to be playing a funny game. There is disagreement in it even in terms of the naming of the two Presidents. While the Bangabhavan terms the makeshift president Jamiruddin Sircar as the Astahyee Rastoprati (Acting President), the Law and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Barrister Moudud Ahmed calls him the Bharprapto Rastoprati (President-in-Charge?). Can't they even be at one as to the nomenclature of the two presidents or is it another funny game?

Yes, Article 54 of our constitution clearly spells out the provision for conducting the affairs of the Presidency, temporarily, until the president has recuperated or a new president is elected. The article says: "If a vacancy occurs in the office of President or if the President is unable to discharge the functions of his office on account of absence, illness or any other cause the Speaker shall discharge his functions until a President is elected or until the President resumes the functions of his office, as the case may be."

But the government's flippancy regarding the protocol and status of Professor Iajuddin Ahmed must have raised many eyebrows. Where in the constitution is it mentioned that the president would have to be stripped of his flag and insignia? Many constitution experts have called it unconstitutional. In fact, it is humiliating for a President whether it is constitutional or not. Things are all the more disconcerting because of the fact that this very government sacked another president. The government might have had reasons to sack him but the mode of his sacking was not at all a pleasant one.

The sacking of Badruddoza Chowdhury invited all sorts of criticism as well. In the previous Awami League regime there were reports of strained relations between the then President Justice Shahabuddin Ahmed and the Awami League government. Some in Awami League were reported to have made adverse comments regarding Shahabuddin Ahmed. But did Awami League sack Shahabuddin Ahmed? The current coalition government should have kept that in mind because the current smokescreen may have been further reinforced due to the Badruddoza case.

President Iajuddin Ahmed's illness may be a natural case, but the very handling of the issue by the government has given rise to doubts in the minds of the opposition parties and the general people. To be frank, the president's return from Bangkok and his going to CMH instead of Bangabhavan and the withdrawal of his flag and insignia must have compounded the doubts that the government has a different plan regarding Iajuddin Ahmed. I fail to understand why the government is providing so much space for speculation.

Meanwhile, many belonging to the civil society have requested President Iajuddin Ahmed not to relinquish the presidency. Some have also requested the government not to fire President Iajuddin Ahmed. All these boil down to the fact that the conscious people of the country are very worried about all the happenings centring on the presidency. This concern is because of the fact that the president of Bangladesh -- though a figurehead in an elected government's tenure -- has a significant role to play during the caretaker regime. As the president is in charge of the armed forces as well, his role is all the more crucial in a caretaker regime.

Meanwhile, there is serious apprehension that the coalition government wants to change the president and install someone more loyal. The government is already in a spot of bother because of the obstinate and wayward Chief Election Commissioner MA Aziz. He has already earned a lot of infamy and is being regarded as sort of a conspirator to foil, or at least endanger, the next general elections. If the government ultimately goes for removing President Iajuddin Ahmed, the situation will definitely be all the more precarious.

Kazi S M Khasrul Alam Quddusi is Assistant Professor, Department of Public Administration, University of Chittagong.