Expelled Awami League leader, ex-minister Latif Siddique resigns from Parliament

Former minister Abdul Latif Siddique has resigned from Parliament.

The Tangail-4 MP made the announcement in a prepared speech during Tuesday’s session.
 
He lost his Cabinet berth as post and telecommunications minister and was subsequently expelled from the ruling Awami League last year for his anti-Hajj remarks.
 
A week ago, Siddique announced that he would not continue as MP.
 
He took permission from Speaker Shirin Sharmin Chaudhury to address Tuesday's session on a point of order and explained his controversial comment on Hajj.
 
During his 15-minute speech, the expelled Presidium member said he was stepping down honouring party chief Sheikh Hasina's wishes.
 
"Today is my last day (in Parliament). I'm not complaining against anyone. I'm bowing down and apologising to everyone. 
 
“I believe in people's love... my leader does not want me to continue as Member of Parliament."
 
"I am now offering my resignation from Tangail-4 constituency," the veteran politician said at the end.

As he asked whether he would read out the resignation letter, the speaker said that was not necessary.

"I am a Muslim, I am a Bengali, I'm an Awami League activist – no power on earth can wipe this identity out. Because this is my spirit, my way of life and the only way I live," Siddique said at the start.
 
Several lawmakers including Industries Minister and Awami League Advisory Council member Amir Hossain Amu welcomed his words by thumping the table.
 
Commerce Minister Tofail Ahmed was seen stopping Amu by grabbing his hand at the time.
 
"I am human. That's why I have made mistakes, but I didn't lose my humanity and haven't given up my faith on humanity," Siddique said.
 
"I have tolerated the State's torture patiently. But I didn't come to Parliament with complaints; I brought love and compassion for everyone."

The septuagenarian senior politician had sparked a furore across Bangladesh and drew severe flak from different quarters including religious organisations after he decried the Hajj and Tablighi Jamaat as 'useless activity’ in September last year.
 
Regarding the campaign of the religion-based groups against him, Siddique on Tuesday told Parliament, "I have been made to look like an enemy of the religion, a conspirator, a public enemy and a representative of the devil, so everyone would condemn me."
 
"I want to strongly point out that I am not against religion. I am pious and a true Muslim."
 
"I will continue my efforts to uphold the true meaning of Islam and fight against activities of the fanatics, those who use religion for business and militant groups."

"I had put my trust in Bangabandhu's leadership during political struggles. I will brave all the attacks and lies and will not budge from that position even if there are plots against me because of my attitude."
 
"But I don’t know for sure whether I have a leader right now," he said.
 
After finishing his speech, Latif Siddique shook hands with Road Transport and Bridges Minister Obaidul Quader, Religious Affairs Minister Matior Rahaman, State Minister for Power, Energy and Mineral Resources Nasrul Hamid and several other MPs before leaving Parliament.
 
Latif Siddique had joined the session around 7pm after the Maghrib prayers and took his seat on the front row.

At the time, Leader of the Opposition Raushon Ershad was addressing the lawmakers protesting against the latest energy price hikes.
 
Prime Minister and Awami League chief Sheikh Hasina was not around.
 
Before joining the session, Siddique met Speaker Chaudhury at her office around 6:30pm.
 
Asked whether he would attend the session, Chaudhury told bdnews24.com: "Why not? He is still an MP."

The Tangail-4 seat will become vacant if the speaker accepts Siddique's resignation.
 
She will bring the matter to the session's notice following the Rules of Procedures.
 
The Election Commission will organise the by-polls at the constituency once it is notified after the gazette declaring the vacancy is issued.
 
Siddique, eldest among the brothers of the influential Siddique family of Tangail, was elected from that Tangail seat four times.
 
His wife Laila Siddique once served as a reserved seat MP under HM Ershad.
 
His brother Abdul Kader Siddiqui is also a former lawmaker who left the Awami League over two decades ago. 
 
Kader Siddiqui now leads the Bangladesh Krishak Sramik Janata League.

Latif Siddique was holding portfolios of post, telecommunications and ICT when he went on with his tirade against Hajj and Tablighi Jamaat.
 
Addressing an event in New York on Sep 28 last year, he said: "I'm more averse to Hajj and Tabligh than I am to Jamaat-e-Islami. So much manpower is wasted over Hajj.

"Two million people are now in Saudi Arabia for Hajj. They have no work or role in production. They only eat and go abroad using the country’s money."
 
Siddique had also said Hasina's son Sajeeb Ahmed Wazed Joy was not part of the government and that he had no authority to take decisions.
 
As criticisms mounted after a video clip of his speech went viral, Hasina decided to remove him from her Cabinet.
 
During the 2009-13 term of the Awami League-led government, Siddique was in charge of the jute and textile ministry.
 
After he lost the Cabinet berth, he was subsequently expelled from his party.
 
He was in jail for almost nine months in several cases accusing him of ‘hurting religious sensitivities’ until he was released on bail in June this year.

On July 5, a letter from the Awami League notifying Parliament of Siddique's ouster from the party reached the speaker.
 
Eight days later, Speaker Chaudhury wrote to the chief election commissioner to resolve the matter when the EC asked the former minister and Awami League General Secretary Syed Ashraful Islam to explain.
 
Both clarified to the EC in writing.
 
However, Siddique at an EC hearing on Aug 23 said, “I will resign voluntarily. That’s my decision. There is no need to hold a hearing on it."
 
His official announcement of resignation came on Tuesday, five days before the last EC hearing which was supposed to resolve the dispute over his parliament membership.