BNP’s reserved women’s seats in discussion in Sylhet

After the absolute victory in the national elections, the swearing-in process is over. BNP has formed the government. The cabinet has also been formed. Now the focus is on reserved women's seats. As a result, activities have started across the four districts of Sylhet division.

Potential candidates in Sylhet, Sunamganj, Habiganj and Moulvibazar are submitting their biodata. A lot of running around is going on behind the scenes. Calculations are being made within the party regarding these. The central leadership is monitoring the situation. Responsible central sources said that since it is a large party, the number of aspirants is also high. However, there is a high possibility of taking two reserved women MPs from Sylhet division.

Shammi Akhter is at the top of the discussion on reserved women's seats in Sylhet division. She is the co-editor of the party's national executive committee on local government affairs. Former convener of Habiganj district BNP. Active at the field level for a long time. Strong contact with the center. A familiar face in the media and policy-making circles. Leaders and activists are talking about her role in organizational coordination during the election period. A section of the Trinamool is vocal in her favor.

Internationally trained lawyer Barrister Samira Tanjin Chowdhury is in the discussion on the list of women MPs. Her family political heritage is her big strength. Samira is the political secretary of the late former Prime Minister Begum Khaleda Zia and the daughter of the much-discussed politician Late Harish Chowdhury. She is a practicing solicitor of the Senior Court of England and Wales and an expert in human rights, civil litigation and governance. In addition to her long legal experience in the UK and Bangladesh, she is the successor of the party's sacrificial politics. She told Jugantor that if given responsibility, she would like to work by prioritizing women's empowerment, the rule of law and the establishment of transparent administration.

Syeda Adiba Hossain is the daughter of Dr. Syed Maqbul Hossain, former MP for Sylhet-6 constituency. Her father has done extensive development in the area with his own money, in addition to many educational and religious institutions. She earned an MBA degree from North South University. Active in corporate and social initiatives. Involved in education and philanthropic activities. Adiba told Jugantor, I learned public service from my father. I am the patron of many educational institutions in Golapganj and Beanibazar regions. I want to take up the challenge of developing the young generation as world-class citizens.

Sabina Khan Poppy is in the discussion. She is the daughter of the late Qamar Uddin, the founding president of the UK BNP. She has been associated with expatriate politics for a long time. Like her father, she also wants to continue serving the public until her death following the path of BNP's ideals. Many see her as a potential strong candidate as the expatriate influence in the Sylhet region is important.

The name of former Moulvibazar MP Khaleda Rabbani is being mentioned with respect as a senior leader. She is an experienced politician. She played an active role in the party's bad days. However, she is currently physically ill. Close sources say that even if there is no active competition, the party will evaluate her contribution. She may be considered for a respectable position.

Also in the discussion is Fahima Kumkum, General Secretary of the Nationalist Women's Party Sylhet Metropolitan Branch and Associate Women's Affairs Secretary of Sylhet District BNP. She is the founding president of the Sylhet Socio-Economic Development Organization. She has been working with helpless women and children for a long time as a fearless social worker and organizer.

Advocate Roksana Begum Shahnaz. She is involved in party activities as well as law. The issue of representation of women leadership is being discussed. Samia Begum Chowdhury. She is the Vice-President of the Central Women's Party. She has worked for a long time to build grassroots organizations. Hadiya Chowdhury Munni. She is a member of the Central Executive Committee of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party and a lawyer of the Supreme Court.

Tahsin Sharmin Tamanna. She is the acting president of the Sylhet District Women's Party. She is organizationally active and the sister of the missing Chhatra Dal leader Iftekhar Hossain Dinar.

Jebunnahar Selim. She is the former General Secretary of the District Women's Party. Wife of former MP late Dildar Hossain Selim. She is considered an experienced candidate as she has been involved in district politics for a long time.

Salma Nazir. She is the wife of former MP late Nazir Hossain of Sunamganj-1 constituency. Her name is being mentioned strongly during the election period due to her active role at the field level and organizational contacts in the Bhati region.

In addition, several other women leaders are lobbying in the district and the center. Some are old faces of the organization. Some are representatives of the new generation. Some are holders of family political inheritance. Some are tested activists of the movement and struggle. Roughly a dozen names are circulating in the discussion. The party high command is now taking field reports. The opinions of MPs are also being taken.

According to political analysts, it is important to maintain balance in Sylhet division this time. The center will seek coordination in the Sylhet-Sunamganj and Habiganj-Moulvibazar zones. Representation of women's organizations, diaspora connections, educated leadership and grassroots acceptance may come into consideration. Since independence, two reserved women MPs have been elected from four districts in Sylhet.

BNP Central Organizing Secretary and Member of Parliament GK Gaus told Jugantar that the party high command is looking at how many reserved MPs will be in the four districts of Sylhet. Because there is no provision that MPs should be given in each district, or that women MPs should be given.

Sylhet District BNP President and Election Coordinator Abdul Qayyum Chowdhury told Jugantar that BNP is a big political party. I am hearing the names of more than a dozen women leaders from the four districts of the division. The center will take a decision after scrutiny.