Bangladeshi-Origin Lawyer To Take On Rushanara Ali In UK Polls

Bangladeshi-origin human rights lawyer and political commentator Mohammed Tasnime Akunjee has declared his intention to run as an independent candidate in the upcoming UK general election for the Bethnal Green and Bow constituency.

He will be competing against Labour's Rushanara Ali. Akunjee criticized Ali for her perceived "silence" on the situation of the Palestinian people during Israel's actions in the Gaza Strip.

Good people, I’m very excited to announce that I intend to stand in the upcoming UK election in the constituency of Bethnal Green and Stepney, I will be going head to head with Labour’s Rushanara Ali MP

I hope we can count on your support. #VoteAkunjee#DontTrustLabour pic.twitter.com/gsO1XAno0A

— Akunjee ???? (@mohammedakunjee) January 23, 2024

Akunjee gained attention for his work with Shamima Begum, a British-born woman who joined the Islamic State as a teenager.

He is a criminal defense lawyer specializing in terrorism law and has been involved in advising individuals and entities on issues related to terrorism and humanitarian aid.

Akunjee's father arrived in the UK from Bangladesh in the 70s, and he runs a GP surgery with his two other sons in Haringey, North London.

Rushanara Ali, his opponent, has been serving as a Member of Parliament for Bethnal Green and Bow since 2010 and is a member of the Labour Party, being the first British Bangladeshi elected to parliament.