Bangladesh's new political party aims to unite hindus, other minorities
A new political party, the Bangladesh Minority Janta Party (BMJP), is aiming to unite Hindu and other minority votes in Bangladesh for the upcoming elections. The BMJP plans to contest 91 seats, seeking to secure victories in around 40-45 constituencies, and is exploring alliances to ensure minority safety during voting.
Amid increasing attacks on minority communities, a newly formed political party is looking to consolidate Hindu and other minority votes in Bangladesh ahead of the February elections.
The Bangladesh Minority Janta Party (BMJP) was established in April. It plans to field candidates in 91 of the 300 seats in the Jatiya Parishad, the national parliament, with the aim of securing victory in around 40 to 45 constituencies.
BMJP president Sukriti Kumar Mandal told The Times of India that the party has shortlisted constituencies where minorities—especially Hindus—account for roughly 20% to 60% of the voter base.
As the nomination deadline approaches on Monday, Mandal said the party is working against time to complete its filings and emphasised that minorities need to feel safe enough to participate in the voting process.
BMJP is also looking for an alliance with a major political party, such as Tarique Rahman’s BNP or Jamaat-e-Islami, to ensure that security. “Such partnerships would give minorities the confidence to step out without fear of backlash. The Awami League is not an option, and BMJP remains the only platform speaking for persecuted Hindus,” he told TOI.
Mandal said the list of candidates would be finalised within the next couple of days and that all nominations would be filed by Saturday.
Meanwhile, Mandal BMJP urged India to prioritise support for the Hindu community instead of continuing to back the Awami League.
“If India moves away from its pro–Awami League position, it will force mainstream political parties in Bangladesh to take notice. India must understand that BMJP is the true representative of minority voices,” Mandal said. He added that such a shift could also influence public sentiment in Bangladesh towards India, alleging that the Awami League has largely used India to remain in power.
Mandal said the party’s five-point programme focuses on building a secular Bangladesh, introducing a federal system by dividing the country into five provinces, and guaranteeing fundamental and constitutional rights to each state. The agenda also includes revising textbooks to reflect a secular and scientific perspective, along with ensuring equitable rights for minorities.