Khulna leaders race to contest reserved seats: Laboni
The first session of the 13th National Parliament was held on Thursday (March 12). Just a month after the election, public interest and excitement were at their peak around the first session. Millions of people watched the historic event on television and mobile live streams. After many years, the National Parliament has once again become the center of public attention.
As soon as the general election concluded, women leaders began campaigning for the reserved seats in the National Parliament. They created their political profiles and started networking to attract the attention of the party high command. With the start of the parliamentary session, their campaigns have reached the final stage.
Several names have emerged for the Khulna-Bagerhat reserved seats, with candidates seeking to gain the favor of top leaders in various ways.
Among them is Farzana Rashid Laboni, former two-time VP of Khulna Government Women’s College, who is claiming candidacy. She has held top positions in Chhatra Dal in Khulna and at Rajshahi University. She served as co-cultural secretary of the Jatiyatabadi Mahila Dal Central Executive Council. In addition, she works as executive director of the NGO ‘Labanyo’ and has worked as a journalist for several leading national dailies. She gained closeness to Begum Khaleda Zia due to her coverage of the Rajpath movement and related cases. Laboni hopes to secure the party nomination by highlighting her active role in student politics.
Another contender is former MP, BNP National Executive Committee member, and Khulna Metropolitan Women’s Dal convener Syeda Nargis Ali. She previously served as an MP on a reserved seat. She entered BNP politics in 1979 with the support of then-Home Minister ASM Mostafizur Rahman and later helped establish women’s parties in Khulna, Bagerhat, and Satkhira districts. She continues to maintain central-level contacts for this nomination. Close associates say she has strong experience despite being relatively young.
Syeda Rehana Akhtar, recently former joint convener of Khulna Metropolitan BNP, is also on the list. She is the wife of renowned journalist Syed Isa, former convener of Khulna District BNP. Rehana Akhtar, active in party activities for many years, is involved in teaching and serves as an advisor to the Bangladesh Kindergarten Association central committee. She has demonstrated her abilities both intellectually and on the streets, even facing arrest during movements, which gives her followers hope for party recognition.
Aziza Khanam Eliza, emerging from student politics, is another potential candidate. She began her political life in the movement against dictator Ershad and served as a two-term VP of Government Pioneer College. She was president of Khulna Metropolitan Women’s Party and a member of the city BNP convening committee. She was arrested, accused in a sabotage case, and injured in several street attacks. A teacher by profession, she also participates in various social service organizations. Many believe her prospects are strong if young leadership is considered in the current political climate.
Another female leader, Nighat Seema, is also among the potential candidates. She was the metropolitan convener of the Nationalist Weavers’ Party and played an active role during One Eleven. Seema, member number five of the women’s party metropolitan convening committee, previously ran for a reserved seat in 2002. After a period of inactivity, she is now politically active again.
Overall, competition in Khulna for the reserved women’s seats is intense. It remains to be seen whom the party high command nominates. Khulna Metropolitan BNP General Secretary Shafiqul Alam Tuhin said some female leaders have expressed interest in contesting, and the central leadership will decide the final nomination.
