Abdul Latif Siddique has been expelled from Awami League presidium. His primary membership of the party also suspended. A show cause notice will be served on Abdul Latif Siddique today (Monday) to explain why his primary membership of the party would not be cancelled. According to the party constitution, he has to give reply to it in 7 to 10 days.

The decision of expulsion was taken at a closed-door meeting of the  Awami League Central Working Committee (ALCWC) at Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s official residence Gono Bhaban on Sunday evening, a source in the meeting confirmed the matter.

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, who chaired the meeting, said that Awami League is a secular political party. "It believes in secularism not anti-religion."

"A person responsible for making derogatory comments on any religion will not be spared if his/her comment hurt people belong to that community. Latif committed a major offence saying against the holy hajj when Muslims were performing the annual pilgrimage. His comment is not acceptable," she said in her inaugural speech before siting in the closed-door meeting.

UNB adds : Amid frequent threats by BNP to wage a tough movement, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Sunday warned that killing people and carrying out arson attacks and destructive acts in the name of a movement will not be tolerated.

"Those who (BNP) are threatening to wage a movement could issue threats as it’s sometimes better to be alert against them, but killing people in the name of a movement and carrying out arson attacks and destruction won't be tolerated," she said.

Hasina, also the president of the ruling Awami League, was delivering her introductory speech at the Central Working Committee meeting of her party held at her official residence Ganobhaban in the evening.

The Prime Minister said they could do whatever they like maintaining the democratic process, but no destructive act would be tolerated. "Prompt action will be taken for such act wherever it happens."

Apparently referring to some recent incidents of killing caused by family feuds, Hasina said stern actions, even maybe capital punishment, could be awarded to those who would indulge in such incidents.

The AL chief alleged that there are some interest mongers, corrupt, Razakars, Albadars, cohorts of the defeated forces and foot-suckers of Yeahia Khan in the country who often indulge in tarnishing the country’s image abroad.

"They speak against the country and taint its image ...we'll have to protect the country from these people," she said adding that these people always yarn for grabbing power and hoisting the national flag in their cars as they do not have the capacity to form a party, seek votes and win an election.

About former minister Latif Siddique’s remarks in New York, Hasina said he made some derogatory comments on hajj, the Prophet (pbuh) and Islam which are not at all acceptable.


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