News Flash
BANDARBAN, Jan 29, 2026 (BSS) – Saching Prue Jeri, the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) candidate for the Bandarban constituency, has pledged to work towards a permanent solution to the water crisis, which remains a primary concern for the people of the district.
In a recent exclusive interview with Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha (BSS), the BNP leader stated that if elected in the upcoming national parliamentary polls, he would take initiatives to solve this long-standing issue.
Saching Prue Jeri, the convener of the Bandarban District BNP and a member of the party’s National Executive Committee, is contesting for the 300th parliamentary seat—comprising seven upazilas—under the "Sheaf of Paddy" symbol.
The following is the text of the interview taken by BSS Bandarban District Correspondent Saikat Dash:
BSS: Good morning.
Saching Prue Jeri: Good morning.
BSS: What are your election pledges for the voters in your constituency?
Saching Prue Jeri: Thank you. As a worker of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party, I want to say that our party Chairman has given a proposal for the state structure. All points of the proposed 31-point state structure are important and significant, and we want to implement them.
We practically realize that there are several crises in the hilly district of Bandarban.
Education is one of them. I want to work for the development of education in the district.
Although there has been comparative progress in the education sector across Bangladesh, it needs to be further reformed and reorganized. We must work collectively to ensure area-based and quality education by bringing the system under accountability, from primary to high school and college levels. Alongside this, health is a very critical fundamental issue.
Many problems can be solved if the regular presence of doctors and manpower is ensured in the health complexes of Thanchi, Ruma, and other remote areas. If the shortage of equipment and manpower at the Bandarban Sadar Hospital is resolved and doctors perform their duties regularly, it will be possible to solve at least primary-level minor problems right there.
I want to take appropriate steps to move towards a complete healthcare system by gradually solving the existing equipment and infrastructure crises in Bandarban District Sadar Hospital and other health institutions. The water crisis is a major issue for the Bandarban district. Four important rivers flow through this district located at the country's last border: the Shankha (Sangu), Matamuhuri, Bakkhali, and Rejukhal. These rivers are located entirely within Bangladesh's borders. Therefore, from an environmental perspective, the responsibility for their conservation lies with us. If the stones, wild banana trees, vegetation, and natural structures around the rivers are preserved, the vast amount of rainwater that falls during the monsoon can be naturally reserved to eliminate the water crisis year-round. I want to work on a permanent solution to the water crisis based on the opinions of the local residents.
Bandarban is home to a total of 14 ethnic groups, including 11 small ethnic communities as well as Muslims, Hindus, and Baruas. This is a multi-national and multi-cultural holy land.
If the tourism industry can be developed from the grassroots level cantering on this diversity and natural environment, everyone involved in tourism services will be benefited. I want to reorganize Bandarban as a district of tourism.
BSS: What are your instructions to party leaders and activists to follow the electoral code of conduct?
Saching Prue Jeri: Thousands of copies of the leaflets prepared by the Election Commission regarding the code of conduct have been distributed among area-based activists. Counselling has also been provided to the activists to ensure that no one violates the code of conduct in any way. I firmly believe that everyone in Bandarban, wherever they are located, is strictly adhering to this. There is no scope for violating the code of conduct here.
BSS: What is your position regarding the referendum on the July Charter?
Saching Prue Jeri: Leaders and activists at all levels of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party hold a unified and identical view regarding the July Charter. There is no opportunity for disagreement here.
BSS: What are your expectations regarding the upcoming national parliamentary election?
Saching Prue Jeri: I believe that the Bangladesh Nationalist Party will achieve the greatest success in the upcoming election after a long struggle.The proposal given by the party's chairman, Tarique Rahman to rebuild Bangladesh in a manner befitting the 21st century has been praised by everyone. Considering the plans for Family Cards, Agriculture Cards, and special incentives for women, I think the people of Bangladesh will consider BNP with a positive outlook.
BSS: Thank you.
Saching Prue Jeri:Thank you very much.
Other candidates contesting for this seat include Abul Kalam Azad of IslamiAndolan Bangladesh (Hand Fan symbol), Abu Sayed Md. Sujauddin of the National Citizens' Party (NCP) (Shapla Koli symbol), and Abu Jafar Md. Waliullah of the Jatiya Party (Plough symbol).
The total number of voters in Bandarban district is 3,15,422. Of them, 1,53,647 are female voters and 1,61,775 are male voters.
