They also observed that the president should have referred the issue to the Supreme Court or could have continued discussions with the political parties to reach a consensus before becoming the chief adviser himself.

Expressing dissatisfaction with the move, the business leaders said they want to see a healthy atmosphere for business.

Former caretaker government adviser Hafiz Uddin Khan said he thinks the way Iajuddin took the helm was not 'fair'.

"All the provisions of the constitution were not observed," he said adding that the Supreme Court should have been consulted on the matter.

Last night he told The Daily Star that the BNP did not even clarify why they opposed Justice Mahmudul Amin Chowdhury and Justice Hamidul Huq.

Former adviser of caretaker government SM Shahjahan said the very post of president has become open to questions after Iajuddin took the oath.

The question arises as to why he [President] had to assume the post of the chief adviser of the caretaker government without exploring the other options spelled out in the constitution or consulting the political parties, he noted.

He should have continued the discussions with the political parties to find out a suitable caretaker chief in line with the fifth provision [of the constitution], he added.

Former cabinet secretary Mujibul Haq echoed the view of Hafiz Uddin Khan. Referring to Awami League's objection to the president's taking over as the head of the interim administration, he said, "He [President] should have placed the issue before the Appellate Division of the Supreme Court and that would have been more acceptable."

Meanwhile, Fazlul Huq, president of Bangladesh Knitwear Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BKMEA) said business leaders would like to see a peaceful environment.

"We must welcome it if all parties accept the president as the chief of the caretaker government. We have not been in favour of any particular person before and we are still not," he said.

The BNP has accepted it and it would be good if AL too accepts it, the BKMEA president added.

MA Momen, president of Dhaka Chamber of Commerce and Industry (DCCI), said the business community had hoped that there would be a consensus before finalising the chief of the caretaker government, but the expectation was not fulfilled.

Only those who had been in favour of the president taking the charge of the caretaker government attended the oath-taking ceremony and there were some diplomats, he said adding that there had not been any representation from the opposition parties.

"Our efforts did not succeed and we are waiting to see the developments. Let's see how others react," he said.

UNB adds: Noted jurist Barrister Rafiqul Huq yesterday criticised President Professor Iajuddin Ahmed for taking over as the chief of the caretaker government.

"He (President) took oath to protect the constitution, but now he has violated it in the name of protecting it," the former attorney general told UNB in his reaction to the president's takeover.

Terming the decision unfortunate, Huq said the president has done so after having failed to break the political impasse. "He has tarnished the country's image abroad by assuming office of the caretaker chief," he observed.