Krishna Nandi Loses Election in Khulna, BNP Wins Big

In Bangladesh's recent election, Krishna Nandi, who was the only Hindu candidate for the Jamaat-e-Islami party, did not win the Khulna-1 seat. The Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) won a large number of seats across the country. This election saw many minority candidates running.
By Newsroom | Politics, Bangladesh |

The recent general election in Bangladesh has seen a significant political shift, with the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) securing a sweeping victory. A notable aspect of this election was the participation of Krishna Nandi, the lone Hindu candidate fielded by the Jamaat-e-Islami party. Despite Nandi's candidacy, which aimed to project inclusivity, he ultimately lost the Khulna-1 seat to the BNP. The election results have garnered international attention, with congratulatory messages from India and Pakistan directed at the BNP leadership.

Bangladesh election results: Krishna Nandi, lone Jamaat-e-Islami candidate loses Khulna-1 seat as BNP sweep polls - 1

Context of the Election and Candidate Participation

The 13th National Parliamentary Election in Bangladesh, held on February 12, 2026, marked a crucial moment in the country's political landscape. Early trends indicated a strong performance by the BNP, with the party claiming a majority and preparing to form the next government.

Bangladesh election results: Krishna Nandi, lone Jamaat-e-Islami candidate loses Khulna-1 seat as BNP sweep polls - 2

  • Krishna Nandi's Candidacy: Nandi, a Hindu businessman, contested the Khulna-1 seat under the Jamaat-e-Islami banner, using the "Daripalla" symbol. His participation was noteworthy, as Jamaat-e-Islami has historically been an exclusively Muslim party. Nandi asserted that his candidacy demonstrated the party's ability to represent citizens from all religious communities and that Bangladeshi Hindus would be safe.

  • Broader Minority Representation: Nandi's candidacy was part of a larger trend, with a reported 80 minority candidates contesting the elections across various parties. The Communist Party of Bangladesh (CPB) fielded the highest number of minority representatives, with 17 candidates.

  • Political Climate: The election followed a period of significant political events, including a student-led uprising in 2024. Following the election, the BNP claimed victory, while Jamaat-e-Islami expressed dissatisfaction with the vote count and raised concerns about the integrity of the process.

Electoral Outcome for Khulna-1

The Khulna-1 constituency saw a direct contest that highlighted the national political currents.

Read More: New Liberal Leader Angus Taylor Faces Early Test in Farrer By-election

Bangladesh election results: Krishna Nandi, lone Jamaat-e-Islami candidate loses Khulna-1 seat as BNP sweep polls - 3

  • Vote Counts: Krishna Nandi received 70,346 votes. The winning candidate for the BNP, identified as Ameer Ejaz Khan, secured a substantially higher number of votes, with early results showing him with 121,352 votes from 120 polling centers. The seat was previously held by Noni Gopal Mondal, a Hindu candidate from the Awami League who had won the seat three times.

  • BNP's Dominance: The BNP's victory in Khulna-1 was part of a broader sweep, with early results indicating the party leading in most parliamentary seats. The Election Commission dismissed allegations of manipulation.

Jamaat-e-Islami's Performance and Nandi's Role

While Krishna Nandi lost his individual bid, the Jamaat-e-Islami party's overall performance in the election is also a subject of interest.

Bangladesh election results: Krishna Nandi, lone Jamaat-e-Islami candidate loses Khulna-1 seat as BNP sweep polls - 4

  • Party's Stand: Jamaat-e-Islami reportedly stated it was "not satisfied" with the vote count and was raising "serious questions about the integrity of the results process." This suggests a broader dissatisfaction beyond Nandi's personal electoral defeat.

  • Nandi's Rationale: Nandi's participation was framed by him as a deliberate move to showcase the potential for inter-religious representation within political parties in Bangladesh. His campaign suggested that the Jamaat-e-Islami could be a platform for all citizens.

Incidents of Violence

Reports indicate that the election period was marred by some instances of violence, including against members of the minority community.

Read More: BNP Wins Big in Bangladesh Election

  • Mymensingh Incident: On the eve of the national elections, another Hindu businessman was reportedly killed in Mymensingh.

  • Narsingdi Incident: A Hindu grocery shop owner was reportedly attacked and killed with sharp weapons in Narsingdi. The context and specific perpetrators of these incidents remain under investigation.

International Reactions

The election results prompted swift responses from neighboring countries.

  • India's Congratulations: Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi congratulated BNP leader Tarique Rahman on the party's claimed victory. India expressed its support for a "democratic, progressive and inclusive Bangladesh."

  • Pakistan's Congratulations: Pakistan also extended congratulations to the BNP on its claimed election victory.

Expert Analysis and Perspectives

The broader implications of the election and the participation of candidates like Krishna Nandi are subjects of ongoing discussion.

"Whether Nandi’s candidacy represents a genuine move toward communal harmony or is simply a calculated political strategy remains to be seen." - The Daily Jagran

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The Daily Jagran highlighted the ambiguity surrounding the motivations behind Nandi's candidacy, pointing to the potential for it to be either a sincere effort towards inter-communal unity or a tactical political maneuver.

Conclusion and Implications

The 13th National Parliamentary Election in Bangladesh has concluded with a significant victory for the BNP. The outcome in Khulna-1, where the Jamaat-e-Islami's lone Hindu candidate, Krishna Nandi, lost, mirrors the broader national trend. Nandi's participation, intended to signal inclusivity, occurred against a backdrop of reported election-related violence and contested results. The international community, particularly India and Pakistan, has acknowledged the BNP's claimed victory. The Jamaat-e-Islami's stance on the vote count, coupled with the loss of their distinctive candidate, suggests a complex political situation requiring further examination of party strategies and the broader socio-political environment in Bangladesh.

Sources

Read More: BNP Wins Big in Bangladesh Election

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Who is Krishna Nandi?
Krishna Nandi is a Hindu businessman who ran for the Khulna-1 seat in the Bangladesh election. He was the only Hindu candidate for the Jamaat-e-Islami party.
Q: Did Krishna Nandi win his election?
No, Krishna Nandi lost the Khulna-1 seat to the candidate from the BNP. The BNP won many seats in this election.
Q: What is the Jamaat-e-Islami party?
Jamaat-e-Islami is a political party in Bangladesh. Krishna Nandi said his running showed the party could represent all people, not just Muslims.
Q: Were there other minority candidates?
Yes, about 80 candidates from minority groups ran in the election for different parties. Krishna Nandi was one of them.