In the lush surroundings of Moulvibazar-2 (Kulaura), Sadia Noshin Tasnim Chowdhury, running as a candidate for the Socialist Party of Bangladesh (Marxist) in the upcoming 13th national parliamentary election, has carved out a distinctive campaign strategy.
Sadia navigates the tea gardens and bustling local markets using a scooter or a CNG-driven auto-rickshaw to canvass for votes under her electoral symbol, the “scissors”.
As the sole female contender among the four constituencies in Moulvibazar and one of just two young female hopefuls across the 19 seats in Sylhet division, Sadia’s campaign is self-funded through her income from private tutoring and modest contributions from regular citizens, including donations collected during street gatherings.
A core theme of her manifesto is the empowerment of local women. “Women represent half of the country’s population. Progress is unattainable if they are marginalized,” she emphasized.
Her campaign speeches highlight the daily challenges faced by Kulaura, such as the prolonged denial of land rights for tea garden laborers and indigenous Khasi and Garo communities, inadequate healthcare facilities, poor transportation links, and mismanagement of railway services.
Sadia’s political awakening began during her time as a student at Murarichand College in Sylhet, where she became involved with the Socialist Student Front in 2011 and eventually emerged as a prominent organizer.
Hailing from Kulaura, Sadia is the daughter of the late Saad Lutfur Razzak Chowdhury, a primary school educator.
Her candidacy has garnered support spanning party boundaries, including backing from the Democratic United Front alliance. Notable figures from the alliance have participated in her rallies, and an election coordination team is actively engaged in the field.
Khandaker Lutfur Rahman of the CPB expressed optimism that voters would resonate with the “scissors” symbol.
Renowned geneticist and rice expert Dr. Abed Chowdhury endorsed her candidacy, acknowledging, “With only three percent of candidates being women, Sadia stands out as a shining example within that minority.”
Sadia expressed, “Winning or losing is not my primary concern. This election presents an opportunity to bring our principles and manifesto to the people,” pledging to persist in her efforts for Kulaura, irrespective of the election’s outcome.
