Noted actor Ilias Kanchan on Friday launched a new political party named 'Janata Party Bangladesh' with a pledge to turn Bangladesh into a country of justice.
Kanchan, who is also the chief of the road safety advocacy group Nirapad Sarak Chai, has taken the helm as the chairman of the newly-formed party.
Journalist Shawkat Mahmud, former vice-chairman and advisory council member of BNP who was later expelled from the party, has been made the secretary general of the new party.
The party was formally introduced at an event held at Hotel InterContinental’s ‘Ruposhi Bangla’ hall in Dhaka.
“Just as I have served the people of this country with honesty through Nirapad Sarak Chai, I now wish to serve the nation with the same integrity through this political platform. I hope people will support, inspire, us and view any of our shortcomings with generosity,” said Kanchan.
He also explained the reason that prompted him to enter politics. “For 32 years, I worked to promote road safety without any assistance from the government. I have come to realise that meaningful change is not possible without political will and support from the state.”
Shawkat Mahmud said, “History bears witness that new political forces often emerge in the aftermath of mass uprisings, revolutions, and movements in Bangladesh. As the state is going to be reshaped by the spirit of the mass uprisings of 1971 and 2024, the emergence of a new political party has become inevitable.”
At this crucial juncture in the nation’s history, he said, “We are announcing the formation of this new party with a commitment to ensuring justice, public welfare, democracy, and sovereignty by eliminating inequality, fascism, and all forms of dominance.”
Mahmud said Janata Party Bangladesh is rooted in the ideals of the Liberation War, the National Revolution of 7 November, the mass uprising of the 1990s, and the spirit of the 2024 July Revolution.
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“Our core slogan will be ‘We will build a nation of justice’. We aim to move forward in building a new Bangladesh based on equality, dignity, and social justice,” he said.
Presenting an 18-point charter of the Janata Party Bangladesh, Mahmud said the party’s distinctiveness lies in its genuine patriotism, ideological transparency, courage, internal democracy, and its unified commitment to public service. “We want to return the ownership and policy-making rights of the state to the people. Guided by the wisdom of the elderly, the active participation of expatriates, and the energy of youth, we aim to take the nation to new heights of knowledge, science, and development.”
In essence, he said they envision a truly just and sovereign Bangladesh as a new force for a safer future.
Party chairman Ilias Kanchan announced the party’s 27-member central committee and its intention to apply for registration with the Election Commission.
The key members of the committee include: Executive Chairman and Spokesperson Golam Sarwar Milon; Vice-Chairmen Rafiqul Haque Hafiz, ABM Waliur Rahman Khan, Rehana Salam, Md Abdullah, MA Yusuf, and Nirmal Chakraborty.
Secretary General Shawkat Mahmud will be supported by Senior Joint Secretary General M Asaduzzaman; Joint Secretary Generals ABM Rafiqul Haque Talukder Raja, Al Amin Raju, and Nazmul Ahsan.
Nurul Kader Sohel has been named as Coordinator, while Murad Ahmed will serve as Organising Secretary.
The honorary members include Retired Major Imran, Retired Colonel Sabbir, Technology Affairs Secretary Gulzar Hossain, and Publicity Secretary Hasibur Reza Kallol.
Advisory council members are Shah Md Abu Zafar, Retired Major Mujib, Iqbal Hossain Mahmud, Farhad Hossain Mahbub, Zafar Iqbal Siddiqui, Auwal Thakur, Touhida Faruqi, and Mamunur Rashid.
Kanchan mentioned that the committee would be further expanded in due course.