In an election season dominated by grand convoys and high-decibel party politics, the streets of Rajshahi-3 are witnessing a campaign of a different kind. With no party machinery behind her and no motorcade in sight, independent candidate Habiba Begum is taking her message directly to the doorsteps of voters—carrying her two-year-old child in her arms while her husband, Masud Rana, walks beside her.
A Domestic Approach to Democracy
Habiba Begum, the only female contender in the Rajshahi district for the upcoming 13th National Parliamentary Election, has turned her electioneering into an intimate, domestic affair. Traversing the Paba and Mohanpur upazilas by foot and battery-run auto-rickshaw, she distributes leaflets and engages in face-to-face conversations with locals.
On Monday afternoon, the family’s journey began in Singhomara village, Mohanpur. By the time they reached Damkura Haat at 9:00 pm, they had covered nearly 20 kilometers, stopping at tea stalls and pharmacies to connect with skeptical voters.
“I had decided I wouldn’t vote this time,” said Minarul Islam, a patron at a local tea stall. “But after seeing you here today, I’ve decided I will vote, and I will vote for you.”
The Legal Hurdles and the “Football” Symbol
Habiba’s path to the ballot has been fraught with challenges. Her nomination was initially canceled by the returning officer on January 21. After a failed appeal, she moved to the High Court and secured her return to the race on the night of January 27. She is now contesting under the Football symbol.
Her political resume includes serving as the former women’s affairs secretary of the Mohanpur upazila Krishak League and winning the post of women vice-chairman in the previous upazila parishad election. However, she was removed from that position following the political shifts after August 5, 2024.
Fighting the “Privilege” of Politics
Habiba’s manifesto is rooted in a protest against what she describes as the “luxury” of modern politics.
- Anti-Corruption: She pledges to stand against injustice and the “imported car” lifestyle of traditional MPs.
- Farmer Welfare: Having a background in farming, she aims to address agricultural modernization and river erosion.
- Grassroots Resilience: Despite facing multiple legal cases over the years, she remains defiant, citing her role in the July movement as proof of her commitment.
Financial Stakes
The campaign is a significant financial burden for the family. Habiba revealed that her husband has mortgaged a piece of land for Tk 1.70 lakh, with plans to mortgage another plot to keep the campaign running.
The Competition in Rajshahi-3
A total of six candidates are vying for the Rajshahi-3 seat, which boasts 358,663 voters. Habiba faces stiff competition from established party figures: | Candidate | Party | Symbol | | :— | :— | :— | | Shafiqul Haque Milon | BNP | Sheaf of Paddy | | Abul Kalam Azad | Jamaat-e-Islami | Scales | | Md Afzal Hossain | Jatiya Party | Plough | | Md Fazlur Rahman | Islami Andolon Bangladesh | Hand Fan | | Md Saeed Parvez | Amjanatar Dal | Butterfly | | Habiba Begum | Independent | Football |
In a constituency where observers predict a neck-and-neck fight between the BNP and Jamaat-e-Islami, Habiba Begum’s “baby and husband” campaign is carving out a unique space, challenging the status quo one doorstep at a time.
