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Bangladeshi politician Abu Zafar Mahmud has been elected unopposed as a member of the Queens County Committee in New York during the Democratic primary elections.
He has been involved in mainstream American politics for a long time and recently launched a new political platform, People United for Progress, to further his political endeavors.
In the Democratic primary held on June 25, Mahmud was elected without opposition.
On Saturday, June 29, New York State Assemblyman Steven Raga officially announced his election at an organizational dinner hosted by People United for Progress at Gulshan Terrace in Woodside, New York.
Steven Raga was also elected unopposed in the Democratic primary this year. The event saw attendance from Harris K. Parikh, Deputy Chief of Intergovernmental Affairs for Queens County, Claire Valdez, leader of the Democratic Socialists Union, and prominent leaders, editors, and journalists from the Bangladeshi community.
In his introductory speech, Dr Abu Zafar Mahmud, President of People United for Progress, described the event as a significant milestone for Bangladeshis living in the United States.
He noted that those who have contributed and led the Bangladeshi community can now proudly say that they are part of the mainstream leadership in the Democratic primary elections.
He emphasised that his unopposed victory as a member of the Queens County Committee is both historic and the beginning of a new chapter, attributing the success to the entire community.
Mahmud stressed that having support from one’s own community is crucial in any battle, as morale is the greatest weapon. He acknowledged that his strength comes from the Bangladeshi community and the members of his organisation living in the United States.
At the event, Dr Abu Zafar Mahmud presented the 14-point agenda of People United for Progress on behalf of all registered and unregistered citizens living in the United States.
This agenda includes ensuring rapid citizenship for all immigrants in the United States, bringing them under the tax system, guaranteeing medical and health services (including home care and CDPAP) for minority immigrants, providing affordable housing for low-income individuals, ensuring the safety and quality of children's food and products, securing job opportunities for students studying in the United States, waiving penalties and reinstating students expelled from universities, forgiving federal student loans, ensuring freedom of expression, preventing the use of firearms and drugs, funding small businesses from government treasuries, promoting patriotism in education and administration, strengthening U.S. relations with Muslim-majority countries, guaranteeing minimum wages and rights for Uber drivers, yellow cab drivers, and shop workers, creating employment opportunities for women, and taking necessary steps to strengthen the power of the United States.
Steven Raga, elected unopposed in the Democratic primary for New York State Assembly, also spoke at the event.
He described Dr Mahmud's 14-point proposal as timely and pledged to work together to implement it. Raga emphasised the need to ensure the basic rights of all minority groups living in the United States and stressed the importance of winning the upcoming November elections, seeking the support of the Bangladeshi community.
He noted that the Democratic Party is committed to ensuring the livelihood and rights of disadvantaged and low-income people in New York.
Raga shared that during his first year in office, he allocated $30 million for the education and health sectors of South Asian citizens and plans to increase this allocation and add new investments.
Raga also highlighted that regardless of the state of immigration, everyone needs healthcare, housing, and proper education, and the Democrats have been fighting for these issues in Albany.
He stressed the importance of reflecting this in the upcoming elections and acknowledged Mahmud's exceptional organizational skills. He urged active participation from all communities living in the United States in the elections.
The event was managed by mainstream trade union leader Milon Rahman.
Notably, after forming People United for Progress, Abu Zafar Mahmud endorsed several Democratic candidates, including popular New York State Assemblywoman Jessica González-Rojas and Assemblyman Steven Raga, on May 3.
At the event, Assemblyman Steven Raga announced Mahmud's candidacy for the County Committee member position, receiving enthusiastic support from editors, journalists, and community leaders of the Bangladeshi media in New York.
On June 14, People United for Progress organized a community meeting in Jackson Heights as part of the Democratic primary election campaign, attended by New York State Assembly members and Democratic candidates.
The event was also attended by officials from the election team of Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, one of the most influential members of the U.S. Congress, who expressed solidarity with People United for Progress's political agenda.
On the day of the Democratic primary election, June 25, Mahmud's People United for Progress members worked to raise voter awareness in Jackson Heights.
Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, Assemblywoman Jessica González-Rojas, Councilman Shekar Krishnan, Queens Civil Court Judge Sharifa N. Nasar, Cassandra E. Johnson, and others spoke at a street rally organized by People United for Progress.
The event was later shared on Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez's official social media platforms.
