Dhaka: Tangail-4 independent candidate Abdul Latif Siddiqui on Sunday stepped aside from the election race protesting attacks on his election campaigns by his rivals.

A former Awami League minister, Latif Siddiqui went to the Election Commission in the city and informed it about his decision, reports the UNB.

Earlier in the morning, he made an announcement in this regard at his residence in the capital, according to his family sources.

Before leaving the EC office, he distributed the copies of his statement among journalists to inform them about his decision.

In his statement, Latif Siddiqui said, “Protesting the attacks by rivals, and instigated by the supporters of the local Member of Parliament and police, I have decided to quit the election race.”

Latif Siddiqui was admitted to Tangail General Hospital after he fell sick on Wednesday while continuing fast unto death programme protesting an attack on his motorcade during electioneering.

Demanding withdrawal of the officer-in-charge of Kalihati Police Station and immediate arrest of those attacked his motorcade, the expelled AL leader who is contesting the election as an independent candidate from Tangail-4 (Kalihati) constituency, had gone on hunger strike on December 16 and fell sick on December 18.

Latif Siddiqui came under attack allegedly by the supporters of a local union parishad chairman backed by an MP at Soratail in Kalihati upazila that left 20 people injured.