Former minister and member of the Parliament Abdul Latif Siddiqui is showing signs of becoming active in politics again. He has indicated he will be competing in the upcoming 11th national election. He claimed even though he has been expelled from the party, neither he nor the party will be able to leave each other.
Claiming that party supporters are still backing him up, Latif hinted about his presence in the election in a reception held for a Union Parishad chairman in Kalihati upazila of Tangail on May 5, where he was the chief guest. Other than that, Latif was also visible among the first row of a Chhatra league meeting in Suhrawardy Udyan in the capital on Friday.
Latif faced severe criticism from party members and supporters in home and abroad after passing controversial remarks about the Hajj, the Islamic organization Tabligh Jamaat and Prime Minister's son Sajeeb Wazed Joy in a gathering in New York on September 29, 2014.
Awami League affiliated organizations and Islamic foundations protested against Latif for his comments, and 22 cases were lodged against him in different courts. A court issued several warrants for his arrest. He was expelled from the party and sacked from the ministerial post on September 30, 2014. Later, after coming back to Bangladesh, Latif surrendered to the police. He resigned from Jaitya Sangasd on September 1, 2015 while on bail. He finally got released from jail on June 29, 2017.
However, rumours have been spreading for a long time Latif Siddiqui would enter politics again after a three years break. He confirmed it himself on May 5, and voters from his constituency in Kalihati upazila are certain he will participate in politics once again.
Latif compared his expulsion from the party as a "misunderstanding that can occur between a mother and son". In the reception on May 5, Latif said in his speech: "Many times, a mother might banish her son from her house. Does that mean she has removed his thoughts from her mind?"
He added: "I did not leave Awami League, and Awami League has not left me. I have been expelled five times in the past. But just because the party expelled me does not mean I will expel the party from my mind."
On May 5, the reception was held to welcome Bangra Union Parishad Chairman Hasmat Ali. He was elected chairman after fighting against another Awami League candidate. However, in the promotional campaigns by the organizers, Latif Siddiqui's name came in the forefront. Rumours spread whether Latif would actually participate in the upcoming election or not. But surpassing all of the rumours, Latif's speech in the reception become the talk of the town.
Latif further said: "When asked about my opinion of participation in the next election, I said I am no one to make decisions. Public will give their opinions on this regard. Time and environment will dictate my decision, because my relationship with Kalihati is the same as Bangabandhu had with Bangladesh."
He claimed he had faith in Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, as she had deployed police for Latif's security when he came to Tangail. "This means she needs me. I have faith in her, and I hope everyone will have faith in her as well," said Latif.
In the reception, Latif's wife Layla Siddiqui also gave a speech. In her speech she further clarified that Latif would be coming back to politics.
"No matter how many conspire against us, we know you people are with us," said Layla. "Until the day I die, I want to see Latif Siddiqui in Kalihati. We will come back again."
According to voters, if Latif Siddiqui participates in the election, it will disrupt all calculations. All competitions between those vying for candidacy from the party will cease. However, since politics can be unpredictable, no one will be able to say how things will turn out in the end.
An Awami League source from Kalihati informed there is a strong possibility for Latif Siddiqui or his wife to stand as candidates in the national election. Current local MP Hasan Imam Khan gathered the ire of upazila Awami League due to various misdoings. As a result, the hostility between Hasan and upazila Awami League and grassroots leaders and activists has reached the optimum level.
In this situation, most of the upazila Awami League leaders are wanting to go into the election under Latif Siddiqui's leadership. Grassroots leaders are opting for the same option. Leaders and activists are thinking the reception held for the UP chairman was actually done to promote Latif in the upcoming election.
Joint General Secretary of Kalihati upazila Awami League Anwar Hossain Mollah said on this topic: "I think this is a positive move. The government is supporting Latif Siddiqui at various times. We can see his presence in different functions in Kalihati. 80% of upazila Awami League want Latif to be back in the team. Besides, the masses want him back as well."
On the other hand, President of Kalihati upazila Awami League and upazila Parishad Chairman Mozharul Islam Talukder said: "I do not know whether Latif is going to come back to the party or not. He is an expelled leader. Only the prime minister will be able to confirm the matter."
Meanwhile, local MP Hasan Imam Khan said: "The UP chairman should not have invited an expelled leader in his reception. Since he was elected chairman after defeating an Awami League candidate, no party leaders should have stayed in his reception."
He further said he did not have any conflicts with upazila Awami League, and the prime minister will decide who will lead the Kalihati constituency in the election.
