The Gonotontro Moncho, an alliance of six left-wing and progressive parties, has revealed its first-phase candidate list for 140 constituencies ahead of the 13th National Parliamentary Election, while confirming plans to contest all 300 seats.
The announcement was made on Thursday at a press conference held at the Shafiqul Alam Milan Hall of Dhaka Reporters Unity (DRU) by Hasnat Kaiyum, coordinator of the alliance and chief convener of the Rastro Songskar Andolon.
The alliance’s prominent candidates in this first phase include Mahmudur Rahman Manna (Bogra-2, Nagorik Oikya), Saiful Haque (Dhaka-8, Revolutionary Workers Party), Zonayed Saki (Brahmanbaria-6, Gonoshonghoti Andolon), Tania Rob (Lakshmipur-4, JSD), Shahid Uddin Mahmood Swapan (Feni-3, JSD), Hasnat Kaiyum (Kishoreganj-5, Rastro Songskar Andolon), and Sheikh Rafiqul Islam Bablu (Jamalpur-5, Bhasani Jonoshokti Party).
Hasnat Kaiyum noted that the alliance is preparing the full candidate list for all 300 seats in three phases, while exploring potential collaborations with other parties to expand the coalition.
The press conference was also attended by Manna, Haque, Saki, Swapan, Bablu, and Didarul Islam Bhuiyan, among others.
The Gonotontro Moncho was officially formed on 8 August 2022, initially including JSD, Nagorik Oikya, Revolutionary Workers Party, Gono Odhikar Parishad, Gonoshonghoti Andolon, Bhasani Followers Council, and Rastro Songskar Andolon, with Gono Odhikar Parishad later leaving the coalition.
