Primary Election 2022: Dim Light for NYS-based Bangladeshi Candidates

Mohammad Zainal Abedin : The result of Mid-term election ’22 sends a dim light to the NYS-based Bangladeshi community. Though many members of the Bangladeshi community expressed their desire to contest in the Democratic Party Primary, only 18 candidates were finally found eligible to run.
These (18) Bangladeshi candidates contested for various positions, including Congress (US), NYS (New York State) Senate and Assembly, State Committee Member, District Leader, Judicial Leader, etc.
Out of the 18 candidates 10 were elected in the state Primary in minor positions. They are Jamila Uddin, (State Committee Member (D 24 A & B), Mozammel Hossain District Leader (Man) DLD 4 A+B), Mazeda Uddin (Woman DLD 4 A+B, to be declared on any day in the Fall). Five candidates were elected as Judicial Delegates. They are: Nusrat Alam (D24), Sabul Uddin (D24), Jamie Kazi (D24), Mahatab Uddn (D24), Jubaiha Chowdhury (D24), and Kamal Bhuyan (D38).
Bangladeshi analysts commenting on the election results used various terms, such as, ‘bleak, welcome start’, ‘dim light’, ‘glow of win in the future’, etc.
Among these candidates I could reach only a few of them. Despite repeated telephone calls, a maximum of them received my call, but declined to make any comment before or after the result. Only a few of them were very positive and interested in talking to me regarding their election preparation, performance and results.

Congressional Candidate: Dr. Huq was Hopeful of Winning
Dr. MuZibul Huq, a Bangladesh-origin American contested in the Democratic Party Primary from Congressional District NY 4 with a hope of winning, but conceded defeat in the election held on August 23, 2022.
Bangladesh-origin Dr. MuZibul Huq got his MBBS (Bachelor of Medicine & Bachelor of Surgery) degree from Dhaka Medical College. He came to America in 2005. He is a physician, surgeon, and humanitarian activist, who built a medical school, and two hospitals.
Though he is a medical doctor, he professionally chose teaching. He is a professor of ‘NY School for Medical & Dental Assistance’ in Queens.
He contested against three other candidates named Keith Corbett, Laura Gillen, and Carrie Solages. However, Dr. Huq was hopeful of winning in the race, which might have enabled him to face the probable Republican Party candidate in the final election of November 8, 2022.
During his election campaign when this correspondent asked him about his position in his election campaign, Dr. Haq confidently explained saying, “I am satisfied with my election campaign. I am trying to reach the maximum number of my party members and I am quite satisfied.”
He said, “I hope to win if 200,000 registered Democratic Party voters only 7% vote for me on election day.” “However, I am hopeful; I will get more than this percentage of votes.” “Due to my Asian credential I hope to fetch 14 to 15 thousand votes, which are enough for my victory,” he opined.
“I am the only Muslim candidate in my district. So, I hope to get the support of most Muslims. Moreover, many democrats belonging to other communities will also vote for me,” he believed.
“Anyone, who will win the Democratic Primary, she/he will surely win in the final round of the election defeating the Republican Party candidate,” he predicted.
Mentionable, Congressional NYS D4, is regarded as the pro-democratic Party seat. The incumbent Congresswoman Kethleen Rice was elected from this constituency for the last four consecutive terms. She is not contesting for the incoming term (2023-26). So, it is widely believed that her successor will also be a democrat.
When asked if he would win what would be his topmost pro-people agendas as a Congressman, he said, “Primarily the policies of the Democratic Party should be my main priority.”
“Secondly, I will give my full attention to the welfare of all the residents of my constituency irrespective of their ethnic, linguistic, religious identity or their country of origin. I will even try to work for the underprivileged group of people.”
When asked what his message was to the voters of his election district he said, “I seek their support to enable me to further improve the healthcare sector of our country (America), to assist the immigrants, and enhance inter-religion harmony.”
Dr. Huq lost the race, but determined for future
Though Dr. Muzibul Huq is a humanist and contributed a lot for the wellbeing of all the races, and hopeful of winning the Democratic Party Primary Congressional election held on August 23, 2022. But he could not attract enough voters on the primary election day to vote for him
He said, “It was far below my expectation.” He informed that, though 1.800 voters endorsed him for his candidacy for the Primary, surprisingly many of them did not come to the center to vote. “I am analyzing the reasons for my failure and trying to find out the loopholes.” He perfectly comprehended saying, “I feel I need to change my election strategy if I plan to run for Congress in future.”
He said, “I conceded my defeat and will wholeheartedly work for my party (Democratic Party) candidate.”
One of his closest aides, who opted not to be named, said, “Dr. Haq’s poor show in the Primary was not a miracle incident. It is a normal matter in politics. He is quite active and will remain active in politics.”
“Our defeat cautioned and educated us to rectify our errors and revise our election strategy for future politics,” this aide opined and hoped, “If everything goes well, Dr. Muzibul Huq strengthening his position will surely run for Congress in future.”*

Mazeda A. Uddin: A Renowned Activist
Mazeda A. Uddin, a prominent Bangladesh-origin Socio-politico-cultural activist contested in the Democratic Party Primary Election 2022 for the post of District Leader (AD24) that was held on June 28. But its result remained undecided and undeclared.

An Active Activist
Mazeda came to America in 1985. Since her arrival she continues to dedicate her time and energy to assisting the fresh immigrants, removing their tedious problems, training and suggesting them to settle in the society.

She rendered unparalleled services for the Asian, particularly South Asian Communities, above all, the Bangladeshis.
Her relentless efforts of waging movements to introduce Halal Food for the Muslim students in NYC schools, Bengali as second language in public schools, hospitals and other clinics, hospitals, and other institutions. She, along with other activists, is trying to create a lobby to introduce Bengali in all those cities of America where a huge number of Bengali speaking people reside. She worked hard to ensure the rights of the Muslim women to wear hijab or cover their body in educational institutions and working place.
She along with other human rights activists established the rights of the Bangladeshi garment workers arranged to ensure safety and influenced the NY government to fix minimum salary $15 per hour as minimum. She is also trying her best creating a lobby to introduce Bengali in other mega cities where there are sizable Bengalees.
Mazeda, along with others, tirelessly worked to Religious Garb Bill, and declare school holiday on the occasion of Eid for the Muslim students under the Long Island Board of Education and NYC schools. She also advocated with other religious organizations to include Kosher on the NYC public school lunch menu. She also assisted in the statewide celebration of Diwali Day of the Hindu community and Bangladesh Flag Day.
To assist the immigrants better in 2015 she floated SAFEST (South Asian Fund for Education Scholarship & Training), a non-profit socio-cultural organization, which already established numerous South Asian and Asian immigrants in American society. She works to advance education programs, establish workers’ rights, promote civil participation, and train youth leadership.
‘SAFEST’ is engaged in providing teaching assistance, preparing the immigrants to pass American Citizenship interview, counseling people to reduce domestic violence, holding job seminars and establishing rights of the working people, aiding to improve mental and family health, and removing housing problems, etc.
When asked what will be her priority of work if elected, she said, I will try to promote the main languages of different ethnic groups including Bengali, in all airports, major hospitals, ensure their security, end housing problems, etc.

Peculiar Nomination
When asked how she got her nomination for contest as ‘District Leader’ of D24, she said, my candidacy was also” peculiar. It was beyond my dream.” “Democratic Club of D24, a body of registered voters, endorsed and nominated me,” she added.
Many elected representatives hailing from NYS and belonging to Democratic Party personally endorsed Mazeda’s candidacy. They were: Queens Democratic County Chairman (who is also) Congressman Gregory W Meeks, Congresswoman Grace Meng (D6), NYS Senator John Liu (D11), NYS Senator Robert Jackson (D31), NYS Assemblyman David Weprin (D 24), NYS Assemblywoman Jenifer Raj Kumar (D38), NYS Assemblywoman Alicia Hyndman (D 29), NYS Assemblywoman Nathalia Fernandez (D 80), NYS Assemblywoman Yuh-Lino Niou (D65), Councilwoman Amanda Farias NYC (D 18), NYC Councilwoman Nantasha William (D 27), NYC Councilwoman Sandra Ung (D 2o), NYC Councilwoman Mercedes Narcisse (D46) etc.
When asked why Democratic Club chose and nominated her, she replied, “It was their kind consideration, they know the reasons better why they nominated and endorsed me.”
“However, it is my understanding that they evaluated my activities and contribution that I did for the immigrant people of all the communities in NYC and beyond.” “I neither requested any leader nor personally tried to get my nomination for election.”
Mazeda’s Fate Hangs on the Balance
The election result of Mazeda A. Uddin is peculiarly undecided, as she and her lone contestant Rvnith Khur got equal number of votes in the primary held on June 28, 2022.
The leadership of the Democratic Party internally held repeated elections. But both candidates got equal number (629) of votes.
It was decided that the Queens Democratic County will finally declare on any day in the Fall (in September and October) who will be the Democratic Party women District Leaders of AD24 Part B.
When asked to comment on her election result, Mazeda A. Uddin opined, “As my nomination was peculiar, so, my result is also seemed to be peculiar, as it is somewhat rare that the two candidates got equal votes, despite repeated counting.”

Her Dream
When asked what she would do if she is declared elected as the District Leader, Mazeda Uddin replied, “I want to serve for all the communities, particularly, who are living in my District.” “Though legally I will remain independent and accountable to none, but I will psychologically remain accountable to the people, who voted for me in the primary to get this position.” “I want to bring them to the forefront,” she pledged.
Mazeda said, earlier she voluntarily worked for the immigrant people, for working people and for the women community for over three decades. “I will continue my service to them with the same spirit, thinking it as an official responsibility. I will serve them in a better way. I will go to every door with my helping hand. I will remain with them so long I will remain in politics.”

Acclamation
One of the leading Bangladeshi activists of New York Hasan Ali, who is the President of the ‘Organization of the Bangladeshi-American Community (OBC)’ highly, appreciated the multifarious activities of Mazeda Uddin. He is also an elected member of the Democratic Party Hasan Ali praising various activities of Mazeda Uddin, Hasan Ali said, “She already did various good jobs for all the communities irrespective of their ethnicity, color, creed, or country of origin. She is a vocal advocate of developing intra-religious friendship and harmony.
“If anyone judiciously evaluates her activities he or she will surely will come to this conclusion that Mazeda Uddin deserves to be voted for any position she desires,” OBC President opined.*
-Mohammad Zainal Abedin is a Journalist & Researcher, who edits The Weekly Runner News based in NYC, USA