NARSINGDI, Sept 1, 2026 (BSS) - Health and Family Welfare Minister Sardar Md. Sakhawat Husain

today said nominations for the upcoming local government elections will be given based primarily

on candidates' popularity among the people.

"Union Parishad, municipality and district council elections are ahead. We must remain united at

every level. The Prime Minister is already collecting information about the popularity and

standing of potential candidates in different areas. We will also send our reports and then he

will take the final decision," he said.

The minister was addressing a discussion organised in front of the Upazila BNP office in

Monohardi this evening to mark the party's 48th founding anniversary.

He urged party leaders and activists to remain united behind whoever the Prime Minister

ultimately nominates.

"Many people have participated in processions and meetings and faced repression, but if someone

is not capable of winning the election, we will not nominate that person," Sakhawat said.

"Nominations will be based on popularity-the person whom people are likely to vote for. However,

those who have made sacrifices for the party will also be evaluated in various ways," he added.

Speaking about the healthcare sector, the minister said he has been travelling across the country

to ensure better healthcare services for the people.

"I have inspected three to four hospitals in every district I visited. During my visits, I found

doctors present in full strength. Problems related to bedbugs are being addressed, and

cleanliness is improving. Healthcare quality is improving as a result of these inspections," he

said.

He expressed hope that, under the leadership of the Prime Minister, a major transformation would

take place in the country's healthcare sector within the next year.

The discussion was chaired by Monohardi Upazila BNP Joint Convener Mohammad Moniruzzaman Monir

and conducted by its Member Secretary Aminur Rahman Sarker Dolon.

Later, Health Minister led a rally from in front of the Upazila BNP office to mark the party's

founding anniversary. The rally passed through the main roads of the upazila and ended at the

Switch Gate area.

The minister later released fish fry into the Old Brahmaputra River.