Jamaat fields Krishna Nandi for Hindu-influenced Khulna-1

Breaking a decades-old tradition, Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami has nominated Krishna Nandi – a Hindu community leader – as its candidate for the Khulna-1 (Dakop-Batiaghata) constituency in the upcoming national elections, senior party leaders confirmed on Wednesday.

Khulna District Jamaat Amir Maulana Emran Hossain told reporters, “Yes, the rumours were correct. Krishna Nandi is our final candidate for Khulna-1.”

Nandi, president of the Dumuria Upazila unit of Jamaat’s Sanatan unit becomes the first Hindu candidate ever fielded by the Islamist party in a parliamentary race.

Party insiders said Jamaat had earlier announced Maulana Abu Yusuf as the nominee for Khulna-1 on February 9, alongside candidates for five other constituencies in the district. 

While the rest of the list remains unchanged, Khulna-1 witnessed a last-minute reshuffle decided at a local committee meeting on December 1.

Speaking to this correspondent, Krishna Nandi said he had received confirmation from Jamaat’s central leadership on December 1.

“I have been declared the official candidate. The decision was ratified locally today. Now I will hit the ground running for the campaign,” he said.

He rejected any rumours of internal dispute. “There is no disagreement with Maulana Abu Yusuf bhai. We are working together.”

Maulana Abu Yusuf, the previously announced candidate, also confirmed he has stepped aside and now heads Nandi’s election management committee.

“As per the party decision, brother Krishna Nandi is now the candidate. I have already started campaigning for him. InshaAllah, we will work unitedly for victory,” he said.

Nandi, widely considered close to Jamaat Secretary General Mia Golam Porwar, hails from Chuknagar in Dumuria, where he owns multiple businesses. He was once known as a confidant of Narayan Chandra Chanda, a former Awami League MP.

Political analysts say the nomination marks a strategic shift as Jamaat attempts to broaden its appeal in minority-heavy parts of Dakop and Batiaghata – and counter long-standing criticism that the party caters exclusively to Islamist voters.