DHAKA, Nov 20: A writ petition filed on Monday with the High Court challenged the legality of Bangladesh President Iajuddin Ahmed’s move to appoint himself the head of the interim non-party caretaker government.

The petitioner said Mr Iajuddin had assumed office of the chief adviser to the caretaker government in violation of the constitution as he did not exhaust the constitutional options in choosing a person for the post of chief adviser.

According to the constitution, the president can assume the office of chief adviser in addition to his normal duties only as a last option, the petition contended.

On Oct 29, Mr Iajuddin took oath as chief adviser in addition to his presidential obligations.

Faiz Adnan argued Mr Iajuddin was not competent to hold the post of chief adviser as he was a ‘partisan man’ who had been elected president on former prime minister Khaleda Zia’s BNP-led alliance’s ticket.