| Resignation drama climaxes:Self-respect more important than ministerial job: Sohel Taj Sohel Taj, now in the USA to settle score with his estranged wife claimed he was no longer a minister as he personally submitted his resignation letter to the Prime Minister on May 31, as he is opposed to "embarrass anyone". Sohel Taj is now staying with his wife, two daughters and mother-in-law in Maryland near Washington. Meanwhile, Home Minister advocate Sahara Khatun, is in Singapore for treatment of her injured waist. Talking to News World news agency in Washington, the state minister said he submitted his resignation letter as per article 58 (a) of the constitution. He said, "I've personally submitted the resignation letter to the Prime Minister," adding that as per convention the resignation comes into effect automatically when a minister sends his resignation letter to the Prime Minister and the Prime Minister brings it to the notice of the President. "After May 31 I am no longer minister. I have the memo no of the receipt of my resignation letter," he said, apparently to clear the mists over his lengthy absence from the country. Having submitted the resignation letter to the Prime Minister, he left for America he is reported to have told the foreign news agency. He made it clear that it would be violation of the constitution to address him as minister as "As per constitution my resignation has been accepted." Responding to a question, he reportedly told the news agency that he would return home conveniently. Since quitting the ministerial job, he has no urgency to return to Bangladesh. It needs taking oath afresh to get back the job, but there is no opportunity for that, he is learnt to have told the media. Taj made it clear that he has not received salary and allowances from June 1. Despite the fact, he said, misleading news is being published against him. Giving reasons for the resignation, Taj said it would not be decent to make comment about that. He said he was committed to the country, the nation and the Prime Minister. "Nevertheless, principle, ideal and self-respect are the prime assets of a person," Taj, son of the country's slain first prime minister, Tajuddin Ahmed reportedly said. "I am not the person to continue with my ministerial job by sacrificing all this. It's not possible for me to give up my self-respect." Sohel Taj said it is most important to him to uphold his family tradition and prestige of being a public representative than holding the post of minister. In reply to a question if he experienced any difficulty as a minister of the Awami League government which is about six months old, Taj said everyone has to realize the development of the country and a need for change, but he does not want to put anyone in an embarrassing situation. He hoped all would work for the betterment of the country according to their pledges. The dissident junior minister and lawmaker from Gazipur said he took oath as minister with a cherished dream and commitment to 'change' and he cannot express that feeling. He hoped the government would fulfil its commitment made to the nation for a 'change," he is reported to have told the agency. Sohel Taj said May 31, the day he stepped down, was obviously a day of sadness for him. "I wanted to give something to the nation, but it was not possible."After the resignation, he said he did not go to the secretariat to perform the minister's job but went to the office to complete some official formalities, the agency said. In reply to a question of the reasons behind the resignation, he said, it was not the right time to disclose it. Sohel hoped the Awami League-led alliance government would be able to fulfil the pledges it made before the election. http://nation.ittefaq.com/issues/2009/07/20/news0403.htm |
__._,_.___