Speaker receives Awami League letter on Latif Siddique expulsion

The Awami League has formally informed the Speaker about expelling former minister Abdul Latif Siddique from the party, eight months after the decision was adopted.

The latest move raises doubts over whether Siddique would remain as an MP after his ouster from the party.
 
In October last year, Siddique lost his party membership and his place in the Cabinet  after his controversial  comments over Hajj.
 
He was sent to jail in November after surrendering in a court in several cases accusing him of ‘hurting religious sensitivities’.
 
Amid widespread furore over his comments and expulsion, Chief Whip ASM Feroz had then said that Siddique will remain as an MP as he did not ‘cross the floor’.
 
“The current law on cancellation of parliament membership does not apply to him. Because he didn’t resign or vote against the party.”
 
Speaker will provide an explanation of the law ‘if it sparks controversy’, Feroz had clarified at that time.
 
Siddique, who was elected MP from Tagail-4, was released from jail on Jun 29 after securing bail from High Court.
 
The Awami League’s letter on his expulsion was received on July 5, Speaker Shirin Sharmin Chaudhury told bdnews24.com.
 
Asked whether Siddique will remain an MP, she replied: “That will be decided after due legal consultations." 
 
When 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 ouster from the party.
 
 “The circumstances in those cases were different,” is what the Speaker has now said.
 
However, on Oct 2, she told bdnews24.com: “Constitution is clear on reasons why membership will be annulled, but it does say anything about expulsion from party.”

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