Tangail’s Latif Siddique will not run for MP again, will study

Abdul Latif Siddique has decided to concentrate on studying for now after resigning from Parliament.

Moinul Hoque Chowdhurybdnews24.com
Published : 2 Sept 2015, 07:06 PM
Updated : 2 Sept 2015, 07:06 PM

The expelled Awami League leader said he did not have any plans to regain the seat he relinquished once the by-election is held after it is declared vacant.

The former minister spoke to bdnews24.com about his plans on Wednesday, a day after announcing his resignation in Parliament in an emotional speech.

He lost the ministry, and membership in Awami League following his controversial comment about the Hajj.

“There is no need for an Election Commission hearing now. I’ve resigned. Now I’ll not go anywhere,” he told bdnews24.com.

Abdul Latif Siddique (File Photo)

“I’ll study a bit at home,” he added.

His Tangail-4 Kalihati seat, which he won four times, will become vacant once the resignation letter is accepted.

Outspoken Latif Siddique, the eldest among seven brothers of Tangail’s influential Siddique family, asserted that he did not want to contest the by-election.

“I will never take part in an election as an independent candidate in any way. The Awami League had expelled me, but I haven’t expelled anyone.

“I am an Awami Leaguer. A political person can never be an individual,” he said.

A day ago in Parliament, he said: "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."

Abdul Latif Siddique (File Photo)

The septuagenarian senior politician had sparked a furore across Bangladesh and drew flak from different quarters including religious organisations after he decried the Hajj and Tablighi Jamaat as 'useless activity’ in September last year.

Latif Siddique joined Awami League’s politics through Chhatra League.

He became the vice-president of Karatia Saadat College Student Council in 1964-65.

He went to jail several times during the movements against the oppressive Pakistan rule before the Liberation War.

He was the textiles and jute minister of the Awami League government and then got the post and telecoms ministry when the party came to power for the second consecutive period in 2014.