Indian Secular Front MLA Nawsad Siddique was released from the Presidency correctional home on Saturday morning, two days after Calcutta High Court granted him bail in connection with an alleged clash between police and ISF supporters in Esplanade on January 21.

The Bhangar MLA walked out of the jail after 42 days and thanked everyone for their support. “I thank all people, academics, artists, political leaders from the Opposition fold, and especially people of Bhangar who stood by me when I was in jail,” Siddique said after his release.

“They (the government) can’t scare me... I fought for people’s rights and will continue to do so,” he said. The police alleged ISF supporters hurled stones at them during their January 21 rally. Later, the MLA was booked under multiple cases in three police stations.

A total of 88 persons, including Siddique, were arrested. The court granted bail to Siddique on Thursday, but his release took two more days. Superintendent of Presidency jail Debasish Bhattacharya blamed a legal complication.

His supporters and kin from Hooghly’s Furfura garlanded him when he stepped out. Talking to reporters, Siddique also touched upon Assembly speaker Biman Banerjee’s remarks.

Soon after Siddique’s arrest, Banerjee had criticised the MLA’s role during the rally. A month later, Banerjee said as a lawyer, not Speaker, he saw no reason for the MLA’s prolonged incarceration.

“I wish he made this (second) comment as the Speaker and not just as a lawyer,” Siddique said.