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BARISHAL, Jan 31, 2026 (BSS) - Bangladesh Samajtantrik Dal (BSD) candidate for Barishal-5 (Sadar) constituency in the 13th national election Dr Manisha Chakraborty has pledged to ensure women-friendly employment and transform Barishal into a tourist city if elected.
She made the comments in an exclusive interview with Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha’s (BSS) s Barishal correspondent Mofazzel Hossain.
Dr Manisha Chakraborty is the district coordinator of BSD in Barishal. Despite passing the 34th Bangladesh Civil Service (BCS) examination, she did not join the government service and instead he became actively involved in politics. She contested the 2018 national election as the only female mayoral candidate of Barishal City Corporation.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, Dr Manisha provided free medical services to the underprivileged and earned recognition as the “Doctor of the Poor.” She also participated in the July Uprising and various political movements, breaking curfew in Barishal. Currently, she is conducting door-to-door campaigns with commitment to address the people’s problems in the constituency.
BSS: What are your promises to the voters of your area?
Dr Manisha: My party has long been active on the streets fighting for people’s rights and now aims to bring those struggles into policy-making.
As members of parliament are involved in policy formulation, we want to ensure people-oriented policies. Alongside this, we want to increase budget allocations for education and health.
Barishal is highly vulnerable to climate change and river erosion but the region has remained deprived of development for years. We want to transform Barisal into a region of potential by utilizing its agricultural strength and human resources through comprehensive development.
BSS: What are your instructions to the leaders and activists to follow the electoral code of conduct?
Regarding compliance with the electoral code of conduct, my party respects the code of conduct and that BSD leaders and activists are strictly following it.
BSS: What is your position on the referendum?
On the issue of the referendum, My party BSD and I walked out when the issue of changing the fundamental principles of the Liberation War was raised in the July Charter and did not sign it.
“We have seen three referendums in the past, but there is no constitutional obligation for holding a referendum. It ultimately depends on how those who receive the mandate to govern the country. We do not see any separate significance of this referendum,” she said.
BSS: What are your expectations about the upcoming national elections?
Sharing her expectations about the upcoming election, Dr Manisha said the three national elections held after 2008 were questionable.
“We witnessed uncontested elections, the night-time voting in 2018, and irregularities in 2024. The election is a step forward in the democratic journey, but it is not the final destination,” she said.
She added that if the 13th national parliament again becomes a “millionaires’ club” with defaulters and corrupt individuals involved in money laundering, the sacrifices made by the people would be in vain.
“We see this election as a struggle to uphold the spirit of the Liberation War, honor the blood of the martyrs of 2024,” she said.
Of the six parliamentary constituencies in Barishal district, five are considered crucial in the upcoming election. Barisal-5 (Sadar) is particularly significant as Barishal is regarded as the divisional capital of the southern region.
Among the six candidates contesting in Barisal-5, Dr Manisha Chakraborty is the only female candidate.
The constituency has a total of 493,950 voters, including 246,943 male, 247,000 female, and seven voters from the third gender community.
