Ilias Kanchan launches Janata Party Bangladesh

Renowned actor and longtime road safety campaigner Ilias Kanchan has launched a new political platform - Janata Party Bangladesh - with a pledge to build a just and equitable nation.

The new party brings together a diverse range of individuals, including journalists, lawyers, retired military officers, and former civil servants.

The announcement was made at a press conference at Hotel InterContinental Dhaka on Friday, where Kanchan was introduced as the party's chairman.

Shawkat Mahmud, former vice-chairman of Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) and veteran journalist leader, has been declared as the party's general secretary.

Golam Sarwar Milon, a former student leader and state minister, has taken on the role of its executive chairman and spokesperson.

The party has adopted the slogan "We will build a nation of justice", underscoring its vision of a Bangladesh rooted in equality, dignity, and social justice.

In his remarks, Kanchan reflected on his 32-year journey with the road safety movement titled 'Nirapad Sarak Chai', which he launched after the death of his wife Jahanara Kanchan in a road accident in 1993.

Having spent decades raising awareness and pushing for policy change without significant support from the government, Kanchan said he had come to realise that meaningful and lasting changes require political will.

Kanchan, who has received the Ekushey Padak and served as the president of Bangladesh Film Artistes' Association, described his decision to enter politics as a natural extension of his social activism. This marks his first formal involvement in politics, despite past invitations to run for office.

"I have worked for the people with honesty through my road safety campaign. Now, I want to dedicate myself to the country through this political platform. I hope people will support us, encourage us, and forgive our shortcomings as we begin this journey," he noted.

Its newly-formed ad-hoc central committee consists of 27 members. Alongside Kanchan, Mahmud, and Milon, the committee includes vice-chairmen Rafiqul Haque Hafiz, A B M Waliur Rahman Khan, Rehana Salam, Md Abdullah, M A Yusuf, and Nirmal Chakraborty, senior joint secretary general M Asaduzzaman and joint secretary generals A B M Rafiqul Haque Talukder Raja, Al Amin Raju, and Nazmul Ahsan.

Besides, Nurul Kader Sohel has been appointed as coordinator, and Murad Ahmed as organising secretary.

The advisory council includes retired military officers, including Major Imran and Colonel Sabbir, as well as intellectuals and media professionals such as Shah Md Abu Zafar, Farhad Hossain Mahbub, and Hasibur Reza Kallol. Kanchan noted that the committee would be expanded in due course to ensure broad representation.

At the event, Shawkat Mahmud contextualised emergence of the party within the broader history of political movements in Bangladesh.

"New political forces have always emerged from mass uprisings and revolutions in our country. From 1971 to 1990, and now again in 2024, these pivotal moments have inspired people to rise above the status quo and demand change."

He also said Janata Party Bangladesh is rooted in the ideals of the Liberation War, the National Revolution of November 7, the 1990 Mass Uprising, and the "revolutionary spirit" of the July 2024 Student Movement.

Asked whether Janata Party Bangladesh would join any political alliance, he said, "We will only consider an alliance, if it aligns with our core principles and goals."

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