Highlights
- Tasnim Jara says most candidates spend far beyond the legal limit in elections.
- Claims many MPs begin their political journey with dishonesty.
- Promises to run her own campaign with full transparency.
- Seeks public support and volunteers instead of big money and muscle power.
Tasnim Jara Criticises Election Spending Culture
Dr. Tasnim Jara, Senior Joint Member Secretary of the National Citizen Party (NCP), has said that many candidates in Bangladesh do not follow election spending laws. According to her, the legal spending limit for a candidate is 25 lakh taka, but in reality, most candidates spend several crores during campaigns.
She said many candidates report false information to the Election Commission and start their journey to parliament through dishonesty. She wrote,
“আমাদের দেশে নির্বাচনে একজন প্রার্থী আইনগতভাবে সর্বোচ্চ ২৫ লাখ টাকা খরচ করতে পারেন… ফলে প্রায় সকলেরই সংসদে যাওয়ার যাত্রাটাই শুরু হয় আইন ভাঙা ও মিথ্যা বলার মাধ্যমে।”
Translation: “In our country, a candidate can legally spend a maximum of 25 lakh taka in an election… but almost everyone begins their journey to parliament by breaking the law and lying.”
Statement Posted on Her Verified Facebook Account
On Saturday (3 December), Tasnim Jara posted the statement on her verified Facebook account. She clearly said she will not do politics based on lies and dishonesty. She expressed,
“আমি এই অসততা ও মিথ্যার রাজনীতি করবো না।”
Translation: “I will not engage in this politics of dishonesty and lies.”
She also confirmed that she has applied for the NCP nomination from Dhaka-9 and promised she will not spend even one taka beyond the legal limit.
Pledge for a Transparent Campaign
Tasnim Jara said many people told her it is impossible to run an election with such a small budget. But she insisted that they will prove it is possible. She also stated,
“শুধু নির্বাচনের পর নয়, নির্বাচনের আগেই নিয়মিত জানাবো কত টাকা পেয়েছি এবং কত টাকা খরচ করেছি। সবকিছু করবো স্বচ্ছভাবে।”
Translation: “Not only after the election, but even before it, we will regularly share how much money we received and how much we spent. We will do everything transparently.”
Calls for Volunteers Instead of Money and Muscle Power
She explained that their campaign will depend on people’s time, effort, and participation, not money.
Ways People Can Help:
- Graphic design
- Video shooting or editing
- Arranging small community meetings
- Fundraising support
- Door-to-door campaigning
- Any other form of volunteering
Anyone from Dhaka-9 or anywhere in Bangladesh—or even from abroad—can support this campaign through a simple online form.
Wants to Build an Example of Honest Politics
Tasnim Jara said their goal is to show the country that honest, transparent politics is possible when people come together. Said,
“সততা দিয়ে রাজনীতি করা সম্ভব, সেটা আমরা একসাথে প্রমাণ করবো।”
Translation: “We will prove together that politics with honesty is possible.”
She believes that if politics returns to the hands of ordinary people—free from corruption, muscle power, and lies—then the country’s possibilities will be endless.
Source: Tasnim Jara
