State Minister for Planning Zonayed Abdur Rahim Saki has stepped down from his position as chief coordinator of the Ganosamhati Andolon.

Dewan Abdur Rashid Nilu has been appointed as the party’s acting chief coordinator in his place.

Saki made the announcement at a press conference held at the party’s central office in Hatirpool in Dhaka.

Explaining the reason for his resignation, Saki said, “As part of separating the political party from the government, I have resigned from the responsibility of party chief. We want the the government activities and the party to operate independently,” he said.

Speaking about the implementation of the July National Charter, Saki said discussions are ongoing regarding how it will be implemented.

“There is an ongoing debate about how the July charter will be implemented. However, in implementing any decision, the opinion of the majority party will prevail through a democratic process,” he added.

According to the party sources, Saki was re-elected as chief coordinator during the fifth national conference of Ganosamhati Andolon held in Savar, Dhaka, on November 3 last year.

At that conference, a new 55-member central executive committee was also formed.

In the 13th parliamentary election held on February 12 this year, Saki was elected MP from the Brahmanbaria-6 (Bancharampur) constituency under the “Mathal” symbol as a candidate of the BNP-led alliance.

Later, when a new government was formed under the leadership of Tarique Rahman, Saki was appointed state minister for finance and planning.

However, shortly after assuming office, he was relieved of his duties at the finance ministry and retained only as state minister for planning, a position he currently holds.

Other central leaders of the party were also present at the press conference.

Although Saki has stepped down from the post, party sources said he will continue to play a role at the policymaking level as an active member of the party.