Sohel Taj will be resigned May 31

Insists Sohel Taj from US, tells The Daily Star he opted for 'dignity, principles'

Hasan Jahid Tusher

Awami League lawmaker Tanjim Ahmad Sohel Taj yesterday said he stood down as the state minister for home affairs on May 31 so that his dignity and principles could survive intact.

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's Adviser HT Imam said the prime minister did not accept the resignation. Instead, she asked him to go on leave for as long as it should take to resolve whatever problems he had.

Told that Sohel Taj had confirmed his resignation, the adviser said he would communicate the information to the prime minister.

Earlier, talking to The Daily Star by phone from his Maryland residence in the United States at 11:30am, Sohel said, "I submitted my resignation to the prime minister on May 31 for forwarding it to the president.

“Article 58 (1) of the constitution says a minister or a state minister's resignation takes effect immediately.”

Asked why he chose to resign, he said, “I can't tell you why. All I can say is things did not work out the way I wanted. Now I don't want to embarrass anyone. I would rather wish everyone best of luck.

"I tried to work sincerely to implement our charter for change even though it required me to stay away from my family in the US. But I couldn't continue as I didn't want to compromise my principles, dignity and family values."

Meanwhile, sources in the administration said Sohel got frustrated after some government high-ups blasted him for some of actions.

He was also under pressure from influential party leaders to serve their interests. His nerves began to fray with lobbying for posts, promotions and undue privileges for police officials getting intense.

Then there was the decision to stop Iqbal Hassan Mahmood Tuku, former BNP state minister for power, leaving the country. It upset his superiors in the government, the sources added.

Besides, misunderstandings arose with Home Minister Sahara Khatun over decision-making on issues like reshuffle in the police.

Sohel told The Daily Star that he is sorry if anyone is hurt by his decisions or behaviour. "I want my government and the party to succeed in efforts to change the fate of the people.”

He said he never had lust for power. Rather he always strove to work for people.

He said he worked seriously at his ministry till he called it a day and did not receive any salary or privileges after resignation.

Queried why he had attended office even after that, he said as a state minister he had some work to complete.

Son of the country's first prime minister Tajuddin Ahmad, Sohel Taj took oath as a member of the council of ministers on January 6.

AL insiders said Hasina wanted him to take leave of absence as she sought to avoid a controversy like the one during the rule of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.

Tajuddin was dropped from Mujib's cabinet, causing uproar.

Afsar Uddin Ahmad Khan, Tajuddin's younger brother who was state minister for housing and public works in the previous AL government, too left his position after a short stint.

After Sohel's resignation, LGRD and Cooperatives Minister Syed Ashraful Islam and AL leaders from Kapasia, Sohel's constituency, tried hard to make him change his mind.

Terming media reports on him and his family incorrect, Sohel yesterday said he does not have any problems in the family.

"I'm spending time with my wife, daughters and mother-in-law. There's no question of problem here. It's unfortunate that some newspapers have been running fabricated stories."

Citing the constitution, he said no responsibility with regard to home ministry lies with him since the day he tendered resignation.

The two-time lawmaker said he would get back home at his convenience.

He said he hopes the government would ensure the trial of the war criminals and carry out reforms in the police as part of measures to bring about the changes AL pledged before the December 29 election.