Dhaka: Awami League central committee does not have the right to cancel the membership in the party, says former minister Abdul Latif Siddique.

He made the claim in a letter sent to the Election Commission on Sunday. In the letter, he claimed himself as the Member of Parliament from the Tangail-4 constituency.

Latif Siddique says in the letter, ‘A false allegation of hurting religious sentiments was brought against me. Even if it is assumed that I gave the speech against religion, Awami League central committee does not have the right to cancel my membership in the party.’

‘My speech in New York on 28 September 2014 was a speech as a people’s representative. There is no scope of assuming it as the speech of an Awami League leader. So, decisions that have been taken and will be on the basis of a wrong explanation will be legally considered as wrong.’ added the former minister.

On 28 September last year, at a views-exchange meeting with expatriates from Tangail in New York, Latif Siddique made disparaging remarks about hajj, one of the main pillars of Islam, and Tablig Jamaat.

His remarks triggered widespread criticisms both at home and abroad.

Later, he was dropped from the cabinet and expelled from Awami League for his derogatory comments.

Awami Legaue sent a letter to National Parliament Speaker Shirin Sharmin Chowdhury informing her about the removal of Latif Siddique from the party. The speaker sent the letter to the Election Commission. The commission sent letters both to Awami League and Latif Siddique asking their explanations on the issue.

In response to that letter, Latif on Sunday submitted his written explanation to the commission. Besides, Awami League has also submitted its explanation on the issue.

Awami League deputy office secretary Mrinal Kanti Das, quoting Election Commission secretary, said both sides will be called at the Election Commission within 15 days for hearing on the issue.