Sacked Bangladeshi minister set to lose party membership

DHAKA: Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina today said she would expel sacked telecommunication minister Latif Sidduqui from her ruling Awami League, a day after she sacked him from the cabinet for allegedly making anti-Islam comments.

"The Prime Minister told us that he (Siddiqui) will be also expelled from the party," said Awami League spokesman and organising secretary Misbah Uddin Siraj.

Siraj, however, did not elaborate on the meeting but legal experts said Siddiqui could lose his parliament membership as well in line with Bangladesh's Constitution if he was expelled from the party.

Hasina's decision came a day after Awami League confirmed that she relieved Siddiqui from her cabinet as "Awami League never supports any such comments (made by Siddiqui)".

Siddiqui was accompanying Hasina to the US where he made the "derogatory comments" while speaking at a rally four days ago sparking serious reactions at home where the Islamists declared him "apostate" and demanded action against him.

At the same function, Siddiqui also castigated the premier's son and her IT Advisor Sajeeb Wazed Joy.

Two courts in Dhaka yesterday summoned Siddiqui ordering his appearance in two separate dates to face charges of "hurting Muslims religious sentiment" as several cases were filed in the capital and elsewhere by "aggrieved citizens" accusing him of hurting their "religious feelings".

A writ petition was also filed with the High Court today seeking its order Siddqui's arrest and removal from the cabinet.

Islamist groups including ultra right Hefazat-e-Islam declared Siddiqui an apostate and demanded his trial while main opposition Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) said his comments were "reflection of the mind of ministers".

Siddiqui, who is now in Mexico, told BBC that he would not withdraw his comments and that "there is nothing to regret".