Siddique brothers share stage after a decade

The Siddique brothers -- former Awami League leaders Abdul Latif Siddique and Abdul Kader Siddique -- with a long history of political feud, shared stage at a programme yesterday after nearly a decade.

At his first appearance to any public event in a couple of years, former AL presidium member Latif participated at a conference organised by his younger brother Kader, president of Krishak Sramik Janata League.

Latif, also a former posts, telecommunications and ICT minister, refrained from participating in political activities since he was sacked from the cabinet and the AL's presidium in October 2015, following controversial remarks on hajj and Tabligh Jamaat.

Kader, meanwhile, resigned from AL in 1999, to form the Krishak Sramik Janata League.

Kader Siddique organised yesterday's programme at Institute of Engineers Bangladesh (IEB) in Dhaka, demanding state recognition for people who forged a “resistance movement” after the assassination of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.

On August 15, 1975, a section of army officials killed Bangabandhu along with his family members. After the assassination, a number of groups of freedom fighters and army personnel waged a movement protesting it.

Of those, the toughest resistance was led by Kader, a prominent freedom fighter who earned “Bangabir” title for his bravery during the Liberation War in 1971.

Speaking at the event, attended by several hundred people, Kader said, “If the government doesn't give us national recognition, it should bring us under a trial for organising such movement.” He threatened to go tough to press home their demand.

About re-joining AL, Kader said he was asked to join the party several times, but he denied, because he “does not like” the current activities and past roles of a number of leaders of the party.

“I couldn't imagine that Shajahan Khan [the shipping minister] would call a transport strike when we are arranging a get-together of the resistance fighters,” said Kader.

“…How could I do politics with people like them?” he asked, adding that Shajahan should explain why the transport strike was called.

In his speech, Latif Siddique termed the initiative of Kader “historic”, and echoed the demand.

“Kader and I have big differences in political ideology, but I acknowledge his leadership and role during the Liberation War and later the resistance movement,” said Latif.