Jatiya Ganatantrik Party regains EC registration with ‘Hookah’ symbol
Truth has prevailed, and we have regained our political rights, says Jagpa President Barrister Tasmia Pradhan
The Election Commission has reinstated the registration of Jatiya Ganatantrik Party (Jagpa) with its electoral symbol 'Hookah' in line with a High Court order.
The commission issued a gazette notification, signed by EC Senior Secretary Akhtar Ahmed, in this regard today (2 November), confirming that Jagpa's registration with its party symbol "Hookah" was reinstated, cancelling its earlier notification that had revoked the party's registration.
The commission had first awarded registration to Jagpa ahead of the 2008 national election.
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However, on February 1, 2021, the then Election Commission cancelled the party's registration for its failure to comply with conditions under the Representation of the People Order (RPO).
Challenging the cancellation, Jagpa President Tasmina Prodhan filed a writ petition with the High Court later that year. In March 2025, the court handed down its order, directing the EC to reinstate the party's registration.
Jagpa's founding president, Shafiul Alam Prodhan, passed away on 21 May 2017, and then its chairperson, Rehana Prodhan, died on 22 October 2018.
Later, their daughter, Tasmina Prodhan, later took over as the party's acting president.
Tasmia, in her immediate reaction, said, "The fascist Sheikh Hasina took away our registration, but she could not stop our politics. We have continued our political struggle for the country with patience."
"Truth has triumphed, and we have regained our political right. I pay my respects to the martyrs and valiant fighters of the July Uprising, whose sacrifices have given us a new Bangladesh. I also extend my gratitude to all friendly political parties who stood with us on the streets in the anti-fascist Hasina movement, and to all who prayed for us," she added.
Party's Vice-President and spokesperson Rashed Pradhan said, "Whatever reasons the then Election Commission may have cited on paper for the cancellation, the real reason was Jagpa's firm stance against Indian hegemony and aggression."
"Under the direction of India's intelligence agency RAW and the servile fascist Sheikh Hasina, Jagpa's registration was cancelled. Both foreign and local actors attempted to conspire using Jagpa's name," he alleged.
