Resignation or expulsion?

The Awami League would decide the fate of ICT Minister Abdul Latif Siddique's parliament membership.

If the ruling Awami League MP of Tangail-4 is forced to resign from the party, then he would lose his MP status. But, if he is expelled from the party, he would still have a job in the House.

The fate of Latif would be determined at a meeting of the party's Central Working Committee on Sunday.

As per Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina announcement earlier, he would be removed from the cabinet as well.

After the ALCWC meeting, Latif would be served a show-cause notice asking him to explain his position on the derogatory remarks he had made over Hajj, Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) and Tablighi Jamaat, sources in the party told The Daily Star.

He would be given time to respond, after which the party would go for action against him, AL insiders said.

If he is expelled from the Awami League, he will retain his parliamentary membership, according to article-70 of the constitution.  However, his membership in parliament would be cancelled if he resigns from the party. 

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has categorically said Latif will be removed from the cabinet and the Awami League for his comments, which means, according to party insiders, he would not be given a chance to resign.  

In that case, he would continue to be MP of Tangail-4 constituency.

Earlier, in the eighth parliament [2001-2006], BNP MP Abu Hena was expelled from the party for his anti-militancy remarks. He retained his membership in parliament.

Jatiya Party MP HM Golam Reza was expelled from the party for violating party discipline in 2012, but he continued his job as MP in the ninth parliament.

Sources in AL said the party would remove Latif from its highest policy-making body and then expel him. 

Since Hasina took over the reins of AL in 1981, no central committee member of the party has been expelled.