The ruling Awami League has expelled Abdul Latif Siddique from the party's primary membership on Friday after removing him from the party presidium earlier for his audacious remarks against religion.Before this, he was removed from the cabinet.
The decision was taken by the Awami League Central Working Committee (ALCWC) at a meeting held at the Prime Minister's official residence Ganabhaban in the capital on Friday evening.
After the meeting, Awami League general secretary Syed Ashraful Islam informed journalists about the decision.
Earlier in the day, Awami League presidium member and Health Minister Mohammad Nasim told a press conference of the 14-party alliance that a decision on Latif would be taken at the ALCWC meeting in the evening.
It may be recalled that Latif Siddique made controversial remarks about Hajj, Prophet Muhammad (SM) and Tablig Jamaat at a get-together organised by the US Chapter of Tangail Samity in New York on September 28 last. In the wake of widespread criticism for his indecent remarks, he was relieved of the cabinet.
On October 12, Latif Siddique was also relieved of his post in the Awami League presidium.
At the same meeting, a showcause notice was served on Latif Siddique asking why he would not be relieved of the ordinary membership of the party. The notice was sent to the address of his village home on Tuesday last.
Though the whereabout of Latif Siddique is yet to be known clearly, it is anticipated that he is now staying in India.
ZA