NAGPUR: Amid persecution of minorities in Bangladesh and rising concerns in India, the nomination of a key Hindu candidate, Gobindadeb Pramanik was rejected Saturday by the returning officer. Pramanik sought to contest as an Independent from Gopalganj-3 in the February 12 polls. Ousted PM Sheikh Hasina was the MP from this seat, which has over 50% Hindu voters.Pramanik is also general secretary of Bangladesh Jatiya Hindu Mahajote. An apolitical organisation, it is an alliance of 23 outfits and is considered a Hindutva fountainhead in the country.A provision in Bangladesh’s electoral laws, which requires an Independent candidate to submit signatures of 1% of the voters in the constituency backing the candidature, was invoked by returning officer to turn down his nomination, said Pramanik.Talking to TOI from Gopalganj, Pramanik alleged that after he had managed to secure 1% signatures, workers of Bangladesh Nationalist Party threatened those who signed in his favour with dire consequences. They were asked to turn up before returning officer and say that their signatures were not taken or were wrongly submitted. Following this, returning officer rejected the nomination on grounds of “invalid” signatures.Pramanik said he preferred to fight as an Independent because he had support. He pointed out that 51% of the around 3 lakh voters in Gopalganj are Hindus, adding BNP resorted to such tactics as it does not stand a chance. “Although the signatures of 1% of my voters were correct, the district returning officer did not accept the affidavits. The officer ruled that the signatures were not valid. I shall file an appeal before the election commission and may even move HC after that.”Another Hindu candidate, Dulal Biswas, also saw his papers turned back. Since Biswas was fielded by a registered political party, Gono Forum, the 1% voters’ affidavit rule did not apply to him. The application was stayed for want of papers, and he got a chance to submit the documents afresh, a source said.In nearby Gopalganj 2, another Independent Hindu candidate, Utpal Biswas, is in the fray. The seat was once represented by Hasina’s cousin Sheikh Salim. “I work among the farmers and the downtrodden. I expect that they will vote for me,” Biswas said.End of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideos”No Control Over Minority Violence In Bangladesh…”: Former Indian Envoy Slams Yunus Govt“Infamous For His Tour With Anti-National Propaganda”: BJP Rips Rahul Gandhi Over Vietnam VisitInqilab Moncho To March Nationwide Seeking Justice For Sharif Osman Hadi14 Naxals Neutralized In Sukma And Bijapur As Security Forces Launch Anti-Maoist OperationHimachal College Horror: Student Dies After Alleging Sexual Harassment, RaggingIndia Reveals First Vande Bharat Sleeper Offering Faster Overnight Travel On Kolkata-Guwahati LineHindu Businessman Khokon Das, Hacked And Set Ablaze By Mob in Bangladesh, Dies 3 Days After Attack‘Slavery Destroys Heritage’: PM Modi’s Big Message After Unveiling Sacred Buddha Piprahwa RelicsBCCI Asks KKR To Release Bangladesh Player From IPL After Outrage Over Attacks On Hindu MinoritiesGovt Sends Notice To Elon Musk’s X On Grok AI Chatbot Misuse, IT Ministry Seeks Action Report123PhotostoriesHow to make protein-rich Rajma and Soya Kebab for snackingTop 9 cabbage dishes from around the world5 health facts about the world’s number one longevity food5 most photographed natural monuments in the world to explore in 20265 best Indian forests to see wild Asian elephants in JanuaryKrystle D’Souza’s roles that defined her TV career: ‘Ek Hazaaron Mein Meri Behna Hai’ to ‘Belan Wali Bahu’:TV celebrities’ cutest baby name choices: From Bharti Singh-Harsh Limbachiyaa’s Gola to Nakuul Mehta-Jankee Parekh’s Sufi and Rumi8 short and engaging books you can read in a single day8 traditional and comforting Maharashtrian rice dishes that are worth a tryTravel trend 2026: 5 destinations in Asia perfect for slow travel and ‘quietcations’123Hot PicksOperation SindoorVande Bharat Sleeper TrainJanuary Bank holidayGold rate todayIncome Tax RefundBahrain Golden Visa 2025Bank Holidays DecemberTop TrendingSan Francisco 49ersBrittany MahomesNoah Lyles and Junelle Bromfield Net WorthWayne Gretzky Daughter Net WorthSidney Crosby LifestyleLeBron James vs Stephen Curry Net WorthTom BradyLeBron James WifeCam ThomasCharlie Kirk
NAGPUR: Amid persecution of minorities in Bangladesh and rising concerns in India, the nomination of a key Hindu candidate, Gobindadeb Pramanik was rejected Saturday by the returning officer. Pramanik sought to contest as an Independent from Gopalganj-3 in the February 12 polls. Ousted PM Sheikh Hasina was the MP from this seat, which has over 50% Hindu voters.Pramanik is also general secretary of Bangladesh Jatiya Hindu Mahajote. An apolitical organisation, it is an alliance of 23 outfits and is considered a Hindutva fountainhead in the country.A provision in Bangladesh’s electoral laws, which requires an Independent candidate to submit signatures of 1% of the voters in the constituency backing the candidature, was invoked by returning officer to turn down his nomination, said Pramanik.Talking to TOI from Gopalganj, Pramanik alleged that after he had managed to secure 1% signatures, workers of Bangladesh Nationalist Party threatened those who signed in his favour with dire consequences. They were asked to turn up before returning officer and say that their signatures were not taken or were wrongly submitted. Following this, returning officer rejected the nomination on grounds of “invalid” signatures.Pramanik said he preferred to fight as an Independent because he had support. He pointed out that 51% of the around 3 lakh voters in Gopalganj are Hindus, adding BNP resorted to such tactics as it does not stand a chance. “Although the signatures of 1% of my voters were correct, the district returning officer did not accept the affidavits. The officer ruled that the signatures were not valid. I shall file an appeal before the election commission and may even move HC after that.”Another Hindu candidate, Dulal Biswas, also saw his papers turned back. Since Biswas was fielded by a registered political party, Gono Forum, the 1% voters’ affidavit rule did not apply to him. The application was stayed for want of papers, and he got a chance to submit the documents afresh, a source said.In nearby Gopalganj 2, another Independent Hindu candidate, Utpal Biswas, is in the fray. The seat was once represented by Hasina’s cousin Sheikh Salim. “I work among the farmers and the downtrodden. I expect that they will vote for me,” Biswas said.
