‘Latif Siddique can stay on as MP’

Abdul Latif Siddique can stay on as MP even if he loses membership of the Awami League, says Chief Whip ASM Feroz.

The former minister who was recently relieved of his duties following remarks about the Hajj cannot be expelled from Parliament because he did not ‘cross the floor’.

“Latif Siddique can keep his membership. The current law on cancellation of parliament membership does not apply to him. Because he didn’t resign or vote against the party.”

Feroz, speaking to reporters at the Parliament Complex on Tuesday, said the Speaker will provide a breakdown. of the law ‘if it sparks controversy’.

Earlier, Awami League General Secretary Syed Ashraful Islam said Siddique’s Tangail-4 seat would fall vacant once he is expelled from the party.

Speaker Shirin Sharmin Chaudhury was to be accorded a reception on Oct 22 as she was elected chairperson of Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (CPA). The chief whip was at the briefing to talk about the preparations for the event.

Feroz said the Constitution did not ‘specify’ what happens if an MP is expelled from a party.

“The speaker will decide on the matter if there is controversy over Latif Siddique’s membership in Parliament.”

When asked if legal experts will be consulted on the matter, he said, “The speaker can do that if necessary.”

Speaker Chaudhury is in Geneva to take part in a conference by the Inter Parliamentary Union. She was scheduled to return home on Sept 21 after a visit to India.

Siddique was dropped from the Cabinet last Sunday following his remark the Hajj “is a waste of time and money” during a programme in New York.

The comment led to widespread condemnation from various political parties and at least a dozen court cases have been filed accusing him of hurting religious sentiments.

The senior Awami League leader was temporarily suspended by the ruling party and also removed as a presidium member on the same day.

The Awami League also hit him with a show cause notice on Tuesday asking why should not be permanently expelled.

Article 70 (1) of the Constitution says an MPs will lose his seat if s/he resigns or votes against his or her party.

When asked about the matter, some officials of the Parliament Secretariat said there were other MPs who were expelled from their party but remained as MP.

BNP MP Abu Hena was expelled from the party. Then speaker Jamiruddin Sircar decided in favour of keeping his membership.

The same happened in the ninth Parliament with HM Golam Reza, elected to represent Satkhira -4, who stayed on as MP despite his removal from the party.