Pledging to build a land of justice, a new political party — “Janata Party Bangladesh” (People’s Party Bangladesh) — was launched yesterday under the leadership of noted actor and road safety activist Ilias Kanchan.
Journalist Shaukat Mahmood, a former BNP vice-chairman, has been named the party’s secretary general and former state minister for education Golam Sarwar Milon as its spokesperson. The party brings together politicians, journalists, lawyers, retired army officers, and former bureaucrats.
For all latest news, follow The Daily Star’s Google News channel. With the slogan “Gorbo Mora Insafer Desh”, the party’s formation was announced at an event in the InterContinental Dhaka. There, Ilias Kanchan announced the names of the 27-member ad hoc committee, while Shaukat revealed the party’s name and read out its manifesto.
Reading from a statement, Shaukat said, “Bangladesh’s history bears witness to the emergence of new political parties following every mass uprising, revolution, and movement, inspired by the spirit of those struggles. As the state is going to be shaped by the spirit of 1971 and 2024, the rise of new parties becomes inevitable.”
At this crucial juncture of the nation, he said, “We are announcing the formation of this new party with a commitment to ensuring justice, people’s welfare, democracy, and sovereignty by eliminating inequality, fascism, and all forms of dominance.”
Shaukat said the party is rooted in the ideals of the Liberation War, the November 7 National Revolution, the 1990s mass uprising, and the spirit of the 2024 July uprising.
“Our aim is to build a new Bangladesh based on equality, dignity, and social justice,” said Shaukat while presenting the party’s 18-point charter.
Shaukat was expelled from the BNP in March 2023 for “violating party discipline.” He was also a former Jatiya Press Club president.
He added that the party’s constitution, logo, electoral symbol, and flag will soon be submitted to the Election Commission.
Explaining his decision to enter politics at the inaugural event, Ilias Kanchan said, “I have been working to promote road safety for 32 years, but did not get support from any government. I have come to learn that it is not possible without a political will.
“I hope you will support me, inspire me, and look at my mistakes with forgiveness.”
In 1993, after losing his wife in a road crash, National Film Award-winning actor Ilias Kanchan took to the streets to lead a road safety movement, founding his organisation “Nirapad Sarak Chai”.
In Ilias Kanchan’s new political party, Rafiqul Haque Hafiz, ABM Waliur Rahman Khan, Rehana Salam, Md Abdullah, MA Yusuf, and Nirmal Chakraborty have become vice-chairmen of the ad hoc committee.
M Asaduzzaman Khan has been made senior joint secretary general while ABM Rafiqul Haque Talukder Raja, Al Amin Raju, and Nazmul Ahsan have become joint secretaries general.
Hasibur Reza Kallol will serve as publicity affairs secretary.