Sumon Mahbub
bdnews24.com Senior Correspondent
Dhaka, Jul 8 (bdnews24.com) – Awami League MP Tanjim Ahmed popularly known as Sohel Taj, who officially resigned as an MP on Saturday, has said he has seen the last of his active political career.
Sohel Taj, son of Bangladesh's first Prime Minister Tajuddin Ahmed, on Sunday told bdnews24.com: "I am not active in politics and won't be a part of it anymore."
Taj met Speaker Abdul Hamid in person on Saturday evening and handed over his resignation.
On Apr 23, Sohel Taj, the former junior home minister, had sent his resignation letter through his secretary but the Speaker did not accept it, saying it must be handed over in person.
After submitting his resignation on Saturday, Sohel Taj met Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina at her official residence Ganabhaban.
Taj's Personal Assistant Abu Kawser and the Speaker's Personal Assistant Joynal Abidin had also confirmed bdnews24.com about his resignation and the meets.
Joynal Abidin could not, however, say whether his seat had been declared empty.
Meanwhile, the Press Information Department in a media release also confirmed the resignation of 'MP of electoral area 197 of Gazipur-4 constituency'.
Asked about his meets and talks, Taj on Sunday said, "I have submitted my resignation yesterday. The Speaker accepted it. I also met the Prime Minister and discussed many things with her in a friendly environment."
Asked whether he would participate in the next general elections, the ruling party's Gazipur-4 MP from Kapashia said, "I hope the people of Kapashia will elect a good and worthy candidate."
What led him to take this decision, he said, "I had given a written statement before. Though I didn't mention anything there directly, but many things were clear there. Also, you people [journalists] have many information."
Sohel Taj had resigned as a junior minister on May 31, 2009, only five months into taking of oath. The government had said then that the President had not accepted the resignation.
Following his resignation from the cabinet, media then reported that he resigned as he was offended due to 'misbehaviour' of a relative of the Prime Minister.
When his attention was drawn to the issue he told bdnews24.com, "I don't want to discuss this anymore."
He had showed no reasons for his dramatic decision to resign even as MP.
He had issued an open letter to his followers at Kapasia in Gazipur on Apr 23 where he said he had taken the decision after 'much thought' but could not enlarge on the reasons.
Taj recently wrote to the Cabinet Division asking it to take back his salary and other allowances as a state minister debited into his bank account despite his resignation in 2009.
The Cabinet Division had said it had no record of his resignation and therefore continued to disburse his pay and perks.
He has often been offered ministerial protocol, but he refused, leading to reports in the media.
After his resignation he was staying in US.
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