Attorney General Md Asaduzzaman on Thursday said that under the Constitution, he could contest the upcoming national election without resigning from his post.
"The attorney general is not a government employee. According to Article 64 of the Constitution, the attorney general is the legal counsel for the state. It is not a government service post," he said while speaking to reporters after attending an appeal hearing regarding the caretaker government issue.
"Therefore, there is no legal obstacle to contesting in an election, even while serving as attorney general," Asaduzzaman added.
His remarks came a day after he announced his intention to resign from the post and contest the national election as a BNP candidate.
"This is not a government service post. An Attorney General may contest elections with or without resigning - this is an established principle," he said. "In my official capacity, I am the Attorney General of the state."
Responding to questions about neutrality, he said, "The Attorney General represents the state. If the Attorney General believes any government action is unjustified or harmful to the state, he has the right to oppose it - that is the rule of law."
He also noted that some media reports on Wednesday had misrepresented his comments about participating in the election. "As long as I hold the position, I serve as the state's lawyer and apply the laws of the state. If any government action harms the state's interests, the attorney general can stand against it," he added.
When asked whether he would contest from the Jhenaidah-1 constituency, Asaduzzaman confirmed, "Yes, I will contest. I have sought nomination from that area. I will contest the election, and I will resign from the post when the time comes."
Regarding his confirmation as a BNP nominee, he said confidently, "I am optimistic - one hundred percent."
Md Asaduzzaman was appointed attorney general on August 5 last year following the July Uprising. Prior to his appointment, he served as Human Rights Affairs secretary of BNP's central committee.
Earlier, on November 3, BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir announced the party's list of 237 candidates for the upcoming national election.
