Masud Rana, Barishal

The political arena of Barishal City Corporation (BCC) is rapidly gathering steam as potential mayoral candidates from major political camps step up their campaigns ahead of the upcoming municipal polls.

The electoral equation in the southern riverine city is growing complex. While the BNP faces internal calculations with at least eight prominent leaders seeking the party's backing, the newly formed NCP, Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami, and Islami Andolon Bangladesh are positioning their respective single candidates to capture the electorate's backing.

Local political observers note that the primary debate within the BNP centers on whether the party leadership can unite behind a single candidate or if rival internal factions will dilute its electoral strength. At least eight senior leaders are reportedly lobbying for the party nomination: Bilkis Jahan Shirin, current Administrator of Barishal City Corporation; Adv Moazzem Hossain Alal, Advisor to the BNP Chairman and former MP Alhaj Abu Naser Muhammad Rahmatullah, Member of the BNP Central Executive Committee and primary member of Barishal Sadar Upazila BNP; Alhaj S. Sarfuddin Ahmed Santu, MP from the Barishal-2 constituency; Alhaj Ebaidul Haque Chan, former President of Barishal South District BNP and Member of the Central Executive Committee; Moniruzzaman Faruq, Convener of Barishal City BNP; Ziauddin Sikdar, Member Secretary of Barishal City BNP; Mir Zahidul Kabir, multi-term ward councillor and former Member Secretary of City BNP; and Afroza Nasrin, Senior Joint Convener of Barishal City BNP.

Among the BNP aspirants, Abu Naser Muhammad Rahmatullah and S. Sarfuddin Ahmed Santu have emerged as major focal points among grassroots activists. Rahmatullah has built significant support among grassroot workers due to his active role in legal aid, medical support for injured activists, and financial empowerment programs for female entrepreneurs. Meanwhile, Santu brings extensive local popularity and a reputation built on widespread humanitarian aid distribution during past crisis periods.

While the BNP works through its multi-candidate nomination process, opposing political groups have lined up their respective single mayoral contenders, including Advocate Moazzem Hossain Helal of Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami, Advocate Sheikh Abdullah Nasir of Islami Andolon Bangladesh, and Dr. Manisha Chakraborty from Basad (Socialist Party of Bangladesh).

Amid the partisan maneuvering, M. Anwar Hossain Sikdar, Member Secretary of Barishal City NCP and a prominent local industrialist, has drawn attention by shifting the campaign focus toward long-term urban infrastructure and economic modernization. Formally announced as the NCP's mayoral candidate by party Chairman Nahid Islam at an event in the Barishal Shilpakala Academy, Sikdar has unveiled an ambitious urban development blueprint aimed at transforming the 58-square-kilometer city, including its 30 general wards and 10 reserved women’s councillor seats, into a commercial, industrial, and eco-tourism hub for southern Bangladesh.

Key components of his integrated master plan feature extensive development along the Kirtankhola River, complete with modern promenades, commercial zones, and international-standard resorts. He also proposes expanding economic sectors such as agro-processing, fish processing, and export trade, along with modernizing infrastructure like drainage systems and waste-to-energy power generation.

Sikdar has emphasized a collaborative approach, stating that a city's growth cannot rely solely on standard municipal budget allocations and calls for the creation of a 'Multi-Agency Urban Development Forum'.