Staff Reporter :
In a notable shift from its long-standing electoral practices, Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami has begun nominating candidates from minority communities for the upcoming 13th parliamentary election—an unprecedented move for a party that historically fielded only its own senior members.
For decades, Jamaat restricted its nominations to leaders holding at least the rank of rukon (full member). But ahead of the February election, the party has adopted a more flexible strategy. Between February and October this year, Jamaat announced candidates for all 300 constituencies in phases. Last week, it revised nominations in three seats, including one where a minority candidate was introduced for the first time.
Party sources say further changes are under discussion, including at least one constituency where a Hindu candidate is now “close to final.” Party insiders indicate that Kishoreganj-4 (Itna–Mithamain–Austagram) is under consideration, where BNP nominee Fazlur Rahman—an adviser to the BNP chairperson—has drawn attention for his outspoken criticism of anti-Liberation rhetoric since August 5 last year.
Leaders say constitutional changes opened the door
Ehsanul Mahbub, Jamaat’s assistant secretary general and head of the publicity and media wing, explained that the shift stems from amendments made to the Representation of the People Order (RPO) in 2008. “Like most parties, Jamaat revised its constitution after the RPO was amended. From then on, the opportunity arose to nominate followers of other religions,” he said.
Historic first: A Hindu candidate in Khulna-1
Of the three recent nomination changes, the most widely discussed is in Khulna-1, where Jamaat has nominated Krishna Nandi, the president of the Dumuria Upazila Hindu Committee. He replaces Sheikh Abu Yusuf, Jamaat’s ameer of Batiaghata Upazila, who had originally received the nomination.
Nandi, a resident of Chuknagar in Dumuria—geographically located in the Khulna-5 constituency—has been a visible figure in rallies over the past year alongside Jamaat’s secretary general Mia Golam Porwar, who is contesting Khulna-5. These events saw notable participation from Hindu men and women.
Jamaat has assigned Nandi not to his home constituency but to Khulna-1, which includes Batiaghata and Dacope upazilas. Historically, Khulna-1—known as Khulna-5 during the country’s first general election in 1973—has elected Hindu candidates in nearly every parliamentary race except one. Many analysts believe Jamaat selected Nandi with that electoral trend in mind.
In Habiganj-4 (Madhabpur–Chunarughat), Jamaat has nominated Amar Desh journalist Oliullah Noman, who spent several years in the United Kingdom. He replaces district Jamaat ameer Maulana Mukhlisur Rahman.
A third change came in Lalmonirhat-3 (Sadar), where the party replaced its earlier nominee, former Chhatra Shibir Rangpur city president Harun-ur-Rashid, with Abu Taher, a member of Jamaat’s central Majlis-e-Shura and the party’s Lalmonirhat district ameer.
A senior central committee official, speaking to reporters, said the party is revising nominations “as required by the evolving political situation,” adding that more adjustments are likely.
Jamaat’s secretary general, Mia Golam Porwar—currently in the United Kingdom told that by phone that political parties aiming to govern must be inclusive.
“Representatives of all faiths should be able to go to parliament to represent their communities. Any party that seeks responsibility for the state must include people of all religions,” he said. “Jamaat is conscious of this diversity. The party has considered the demands of the time and the expectations of the people in selecting candidates this year.”
As the election approaches amid political uncertainty, Jamaat’s widening of its candidate pool signals an attempt to redefine its public image and expand its electoral reach—an unexpected turn in the country’s shifting political landscape.
