Speaker Hafiz Uddin Ahmad has returned to Dhaka from Bangkok amid mounting speculation that President Mohammed Shahabuddin is preparing to resign.
The speaker arrived at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport around 12:15pm on Friday, according to a statement from parliament's public relations wing.
Speaking at the airport, he dismissed questions suggesting he was aware of any imminent resignation by the president.
"That is a hypothetical question. I do not know what he will or will not do. He is the president and the country's foremost person," he said when asked whether he would assume presidential duties if Shahabuddin stepped down.
Asked why he cut short his visit to Thailand, the speaker said he returned after completing a scheduled medical check-up.
"I had personal matters. My medical check-up was completed [on Thursday]," he said.
As per the Constitution, the speaker serves as acting president if the office becomes vacant following the resignation of the incumbent.
"It is provided in the Constitution that when the president resigns, the speaker acts as president. However, parliament must elect a new president within three months," Hafiz Uddin said.
The speaker travelled to Bangkok on Jul 19 for medical treatment and had been scheduled to return on Jul 26.
Parliamentary officials said the trip was shortened at the request of senior government authorities.
During his absence, speculation intensified over Shahabuddin's possible resignation.
On Thursday, several officials in the President's Office and a person close to the president told bdnews24.com that Shahabuddin had decided to resign.
They said the submission of his resignation letter was being delayed because the speaker was outside the country.
When pressed further by reporters, Hafiz Uddin reiterated that he had no knowledge of any resignation.
"I was outside the country, so I do not know who has resigned or what has happened. Perhaps I will know now," he said.
Officials from the Parliament Secretariat, including Chief Whip Nurul Islam Moni, welcomed the speaker at the airport's VIP lounge.
After speaking to journalists, Hafiz headed directly to the official residence within the parliament complex.