Mamata Banerjee Fact-Checked: What Bangladesh Election Data Shows On Minority Representation | Exclusive

Last Updated:February 18, 2026, 15:18 IST

In volatile regions like Bagerhat and Gopalganj, rejections and withdrawals of minority candidates were reportedly higher, pointing to security concerns

Indian intelligence sources have rejected West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee’s recent remarks citing Bangladesh’s elections in her criticism of the Election Commission of India, saying she does not have complete data about how the neighbouring country’s polls were conducted.

Addressing the media after polls in the neighbouring country, Banerjee had said: “The election in Bangladesh was concluded peacefully. Everybody thought there will be violence. But it was done peacefully. But while India is a democratic county, its Election Commission with its ‘threat culture’, will bulldoze democracy."

However, sources familiar with internal assessments told CNN-News18 that the picture emerging from Bangladesh’s parliamentary elections is far more complex, and troubling, particularly with regard to minority participation and representation.

‘Deliberate Playbook’

Intelligence inputs indicate that violence and intimidation targeting Hindus and other minorities continued for over a year, particularly in politically sensitive and border districts. Officials describe what they term a “deliberate playbook" by certain political actors aimed at inciting anti-minority sentiment, including attacks and pressure tactics designed to discourage participation.

In several constituencies, especially in volatile regions such as Bagerhat and Gopalganj, rejections and withdrawals of minority candidates were reportedly higher, pointing to security concerns. Sources allege that in some pockets, minorities were “systematically pushed out of the system" through a mix of administrative hurdles and intimidation.

Representation Gap In Candidate Numbers

Data from the Bangladesh parliamentary election shows that of 2,034 candidates contesting 299 seats, only 80 were from Hindu minority backgrounds. That represents approximately 3.9 per cent of the total candidate pool, even though Hindus comprise about 8 per cent of Bangladesh’s population—effectively half their demographic share.

In several constituencies where Hindu voters account for 15-20 per cent of the electorate, major political parties reportedly did not nominate Hindu candidates.

Many Hindu aspirants are said to have filed nominations in significant numbers, including in minority-heavy constituencies such as Khulna-1, where eight Hindu nominees initially entered the race. However, some nomination papers were rejected on multiple grounds, while others were allegedly withdrawn under pressure.

Most of the 80 Hindu candidates were fielded by smaller leftist parties with limited vote share. Only two to three Hindu candidates are believed to have won seats, all on tickets from the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP). No major mainstream party is seen to have significantly exceeded proportional representation for Hindu candidates.

War Of Words

Banerjee’s comments, suggesting that India should look at how Bangladesh conducted its polls, sparked immediate backlash from the BJP and drew a firm response from the Election Commission, which defended the country’s electoral processes.

Intelligence sources now argue that selective comparisons overlook ground realities in Bangladesh, including minority underrepresentation and reported intimidation.

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