By Sunahwar Ali.London–Dhaka– Sylhet.
For too long, Bengali political representation in east London has been held back by one-man rule, family dynasties, and a toxic culture of personal loyalty over public service.
We have seen it in Tower Hamlets under Lutfur Rahman–a so-called
“Bangla leader” who behaved more like a one-man bang wagon than a public servant accountable to our community.
But now, something historic is happening.
For the first time, a mainstream party has selected a British Bengali as its mayoral candidate for Newham.
This candidate has a real chance to be elected– not as an independent, not as a factional figure, but under the banner of the Labour Party, representing all Londoners.
That is why the establishment is scared.
And that is why we are seeing dirty tactics already.
Last week, Novara Media published an article making claims against Farhad Hussain. The article has since been taken down.
Why?
Because the claims were categorically untrue, baseless, and libellous – the publication’s own words in effect.
But here is the part that should concern every anti-racist and every believer in fair politics:
this disinformation was pushed by the Greens.
Yes, the Green Party–which often lectures others on ethics and integrity– chose to amplify lies about a Bangladeshi-origin mainstream candidate.
Not through honest debate, but through smears.
Gutter politics at its worst.
I have spent my political career fighting three things:
·Racism–the assumption that Bengali politicians cannot succeed on merit within mainstream parties.
·Injustice–the weaponisation of false claims to destroy opponents.
·Corruption–the abuse of power by those who treat community positions as personal property.
What we are witnessing now is all three wrapped into one.
A deliberate attempt to mislead the public, damage a good candidate, and scare our community back into the old model–the one-man bang wagon where one family decides everything.
Let me be clear:
I do not support everyone who wears a Labour rosette.
But I will always defend truth over lies, and I will always call out those who use our community as a shield while stabbing our progress in the back.
The Greens should withdraw their claims immediately and apologise.
If they do not, legal action is not only justified–it is necessary. Otherwise, every future Bengali candidate from a mainstream party will know that smears go unpunished.
To my brothers and sisters in London,Dhaka, and Sylhet:
We fought for respect.
We fought for representation. We did not fight to replace one form of injustice with another.
Stand with truth. Stand with our first real mainstream Bengali candidate Farhad Hussain.
And reject the politics of lies– whether they come from the far-left, the Greens, or any one-man bang wagon.
Justice.
Equality.
No to smears.
Promoted by Sunahwar Ali, former Chief Whip, Tower Hamlets Council.
