Speaker declares Latif Siddique’s constituency vacant

Speaker Shirin Sharmin Chaudhury today declared Tangail-4 constituency vacant as sacked minister Abdul Latif Siddique tendered his resignation.

“Abdul Latif Siddique, who was elected MP from Tangail-4, tendered his resignation letter to her in person in parliament on September 1 afternoon and I accepted the resignation. As per Section 67 (2) of the Constitution, a seat shall become vacant when the resignation is received by the Speaker," she added.

On Tuesday, Latif quit the parliament after delivering a 15-minute emotion-choked speech in the House.

In the written speech, Latif, who was the post and telecommunications minister, claimed himself a “pure Muslim, Bangalee and Awami Leaguer” and expressed sincere apology to the country's people, if they were hurt by his behaviour anyway.

Latif was dropped from the cabinet and stripped off his membership of the ruling Awami League in October last year amid waves of criticism following his remarks on hajj, Tabligh Jamaat and Sajeeb Wazed Joy, prime minister’s son and adviser on ICT, in USA last year.