Legacy and Trust: Two Women Leaders Win Big in Faridpur Election

The 13th National Parliament Election has reshaped Faridpur’s political landscape, as voters chose a blend of historical legacy and fresh leadership.

Among the 28 candidates across the district’s four seats, two women—Shama Obaid Islam and Chowdhury Nayab Ahmed Yusuf—emerged victorious, signaling a "restoration of trust" for the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP).

Local observers note that while their famous family names opened doors, their victories were secured through grassroots engagement and clear developmental visions.

Faridpur-2: Transitioning from Heir to People's Leader Shama Obaid Islam, representing the "Paddy Sheaf" symbol, won the Saltha-Nagarkanda seat by a decisive margin of over 32,000 votes. Though known as the daughter of the late BNP Secretary General Obaidur Rahman, Shama has worked to build her own identity.

"I do not see inheritance as a privilege, but as a heavy responsibility," Shama stated after the result. Her primary focus is bridging the gap between her rural constituency and national development.

Fair crop prices for farmers, building cold storage facilities, and improving healthcare and technical training for women and youth.

Faridpur-3: Urban Modernization and Security In the Faridpur Sadar constituency, Chowdhury Nayab Ahmed Yusuf secured 148,545 votes. The daughter of former minister Chowdhury Kamal Ibn Yusuf, Nayab is a third-generation leader who has been active in the party’s organizational and women’s wings.

Nayab’s victory is seen as a major win for the BNP in a high-stakes urban seat. She aims to transform Faridpur into a "modern and safe city."

Implementing the new administrative division, establishing a public university, and creating a community free from terrorism and drugs.

Advocate Shipra Goswami, former president of Faridpur’s Conscious Citizens’ Committee (SANAK), remarked that these wins bring high expectations. "The challenge now is for Shama and Nayab to move beyond party lines and fulfill their promises to all citizens," she said.

While Shama focuses on the agro-based economy of the rural north, Nayab’s vision is urban-centric, yet both leaders emphasize that "politics means standing by the people."