Under the bright afternoon sun along a dusty rural road, two vehicles gradually approached a small group of villagers. Stepping out of one jeep was Nurun Nahar Begum, the Jatiya Party’s chosen candidate for Thakurgaon-2, engaging in a grassroots campaign prior to the upcoming 13th national parliamentary elections set for February 12. Warmly greeting the locals, she handed out leaflets featuring the plough symbol, symbolizing her candidacy.
A well-known figure in Barabari union, Nurun Nahar, in her sixties, has been actively visiting various villages like Uttar Baliadangi, Phultala, Mahajanhat, Dangi Bazar, and Haripur Katabari, soliciting votes and rallying support from residents.
Receiving warm responses from the villagers, there was a sense of familiarity and encouragement in the air. Asia Begum recognized her instantly, mentioning her father, Chairman Badiuzzaman. Md Awal from Mahajanhat encouraged her to broaden her outreach, emphasizing their support as locals. Similarly, at Dangi Bazar, shopkeeper Babul expressed optimism about having easier access to local representatives once she is elected.
Residents like Digen Chandra Singh from Katabari affirmed their support for her candidacy. Even Subela, a voter expressing a shift in political allegiances, voiced her intention to vote for Nurun Nahar due to the absence of a previous MP candidate.
Having previously contested in the 12th parliamentary election in 2024 and the upazila chairman election, Nurun Nahar’s presence and dedication to the area are well-established. Following her door-to-door campaign, she held an election rally at Adhardighi Hat, where she called for active involvement and support from the community.
During her address, Nurun Nahar, hailing from the constituency and daughter of a former union chairman, not only sought votes but also promised proactive measures if elected. She highlighted plans to enhance law and order, generate job opportunities for unemployed youth, and establish industrial facilities, including garment factories. Her agenda also emphasized empowering women through cottage industries, vocational training, and ensuring safety to combat domestic violence.
In an interview with The Daily Star, Nurun Nahar shared her dedication to public service, citing her upbringing in a political environment as the driving force behind her political aspirations. Despite her positive reception, some locals like Golam Mostofa from Belhara village expressed concerns over the organizational strength of the Jatiya Party for such a significant election.
Other candidates vying for Thakurgaon-2 include Dr. Abdus Salam (BNP), Abdul Hakim (Jamaat-led 11-party alliance), Faruk Hossain (Ganadhikar Parishad), Nahid Rana (AB Party), Rezaul Karim (Islami Andolan Bangladesh), and Sahab Uddin Ahmed (CPB) in a constituency encompassing Baliadangi and Haripur upazilas along with parts of Ranisankail, totaling 340,049 eligible voters.
