The six-party alliance Gonotontro Moncho has announced the names of its candidates for 140 constituencies in the first phase of the upcoming 13th parliamentary elections.
The alliance had previously declared its intention to field candidates in all 300 constituencies.
The announcement was made on Thursday at a press conference held at the Dhaka Reporters’ Unity by Hasnat Kaiyum, coordinator of the alliance and chief coordinator of the Bangladesh State Reform Movement.
Among the top leaders of the six parties, Mahmudur Rahman Manna, president of Nagorik Oikko, will contest from Bogura-2; Saiful Haque, general secretary of Bangladesh Revolutionary Workers Party, from Dhaka-8; Jonayed Saki, chief coordinator of Gonoshonghoti Andolon, from Brahmanbaria-6; Tania Rob, vice-president of JSD, from Lakshmipur-4; Shahid Uddin Mahmud Swapan, general secretary, from Feni-3; Hasnat Kaiyum, chief coordinator of the State Reform Movement, from Kishoreganj-5; and Sheikh Rafiqul Islam Babul, chairman of Bhasani Janashakti Party, from Jamalpur-5.
Gonotontro Moncho was formed on August 8, 2022, by Jatiya Samajtantrik Dal (JSD), Nagorik Oikko, Bangladesh Revolutionary Workers Party, Gonodhikar Porishod, Gonoshonghoti Andolon, Bhasani Unnoyon Porishod, and the State Reform Movement. Gonodhikar Porishod later left the alliance.
Hasnat Kaiyum said, “The six parties of Gonotontro Moncho have decided to contest together, but discussions are ongoing with other political parties who may join. The alliance may expand or form a larger coalition.”
He added that the alliance has prepared three lists of candidates: the first for 300 constituencies, of which 140 have been announced today. The remaining constituencies will be revealed later. “Depending on future negotiations and alliances, we may adjust the number of candidates accordingly,” he said.
Other leaders present at the press conference included Mahmudur Rahman Manna, Saiful Haque, Jonayed Saki, Sheikh Rafiqul Islam Babul, and Shahid Uddin Mahmud Swapan.
