Dhaka: Four candidates from minority backgrounds, including two Hindus, secured victories in Bangladesh’s general election, all representing the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) as it prepares to form a new government this Tuesday.

Goyeshwar Chandra Roy and Nitai Roy Chowdhury, both prominent Hindu figures within the BNP, won seats in Dhaka and the western Magura constituency, respectively. Both defeated challengers from the Jamaat-e-Islami. Roy is a high-ranking member of the BNP’s standing committee, while Chowdhury serves as a vice president and senior strategist for the party's leadership.

The remaining two minority seats were won by candidates from Buddhist-majority ethnic groups in the southeastern hill districts. Saching Pru, representing the Marma community, was elected in Bandarban, while Dipen Dewan of the Chakma community won in Rangamati. Though Dewan belongs to a Buddhist ethnic group, his religious identity has been described by some as Hindu.

Minority Representation and the Electorate

Hindus constitute approximately 8% of the population in the Muslim-majority nation of 170 million. The recent election saw a notable shift in minority representation:

  • Current Outcome: Only four minority MPs were elected in this cycle.
  • Historical Context: In both 2018 and 2024, 17 Hindu MPs were elected, with the vast majority previously belonging to ousted Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s Awami League.

Dewan overcame a challenge from an independent Chakma candidate, while Pru defeated a nominee from the National Citizen Party (NCP), a student-led organisation born out of the 2024 "Students Against Discrimination" protests that led to Hasina's resignation.

Election Data and Party Performance

According to the Election Commission, 79 minority candidates, including 10 women, competed in Thursday’s polls. While left-leaning parties like the Communist Party of Bangladesh (CPB) fielded the highest numbers (17 candidates), the BNP’s six nominees proved more successful at the ballot box.

In a first for the organisation, the Islamist party Jamaat-e-Islami nominated a Hindu candidate, veteran businessman Krishna Nandi. While Nandi lost the Khulna-1 race to a BNP rival, his second-place finish sparked widespread political debate.

Final Results Summary

Led by Tarique Rahman, the BNP secured a two-thirds majority, winning 209 seats with 49.97% of the popular vote. The Jamaat-e-Islami recorded its strongest historical performance, capturing 68 seats with 31.76% of the vote. The student-led NCP debuted with six seats and 3.05% of the vote.

The swearing-in of the new cabinet on Tuesday marks the end of the interim administration led by Professor Muhammad Yunus, which has governed since August 2024.

With inputs from PTI