Abdur Rahim, candidate from the Bangladesh Khilafat Andolan, contesting in the Netrakona-2 constituency during the 13th national elections. Photo: BSS

NETRAKONA, Feb 1, 2026 (BSS) – Bangladesh Khilafat Andolan candidate Abdur Rahim from Netrakona-2 has promised to create employment opportunities and improving healthcare facilities in his area. 

He has participated in the 13th national elections with his party's 'Banyan Tree' symbol. Being a voice of people, he wants to work for them with ‘insaf’(justice) in the coming days by taking a strong stance against drugs and constructing sustainable road infrastructure in his constituency.

Abdur Rahim is the central assistant secretary general of Bangladesh Khilafat Andolan and is a well-known personality on the streets. He lost his limbs in a terrorist attack during the rule of the autocratic government. 

He has been vocal in achieving the rights of the people by participating in and leading all just and rational movements in the last 17 years.

Abdur Rahim presented his election goals and expectation in an interview with BSS Netrakona District Correspondent Md Tanvir Hayat Khan here recently.

BSS: What is your election promise for the voters of your area?
Abdur Rahim: Our district is full of all kinds of natural beauty. It is a district with potential, especially rivers and hills as this district is different from other districts. But, unfortunately, those who have come to power repeatedly in the past did not give attention to it. There has been no development in my district. So, I want to promise the voters, if Almighty Allah elects me as a member of parliament in the future, I will work at all the places where the people have been deprived of their rights.

I will try to solve various problems, including the poor condition of roads in most of the unions in my constituency, the fragile state of healthcare and lack of employment for women, drugs and eve-teasing.

BSS: What are your instructions to leaders and activists of your party to follow the electoral code of conduct?
Abdur Rahim: The leaders and activists have been instructed to follow the rules and regulations of the Election Commission. We will not do anything illegal. My party and leaders and activists and I always respect the law.

BSS: What is your position on the referendum on the July Charter?
Abdur Rahim: We will cast two votes in this election, one on the party symbol, and the other on the implementation of the July Charter. If you want to implement the July Charter, you must vote for ‘Yes’. I want to tell my voters to go to the polling stations and vote for ‘Yes’.

BSS: What are your expectations in the upcoming elections?
Abdur Rahim: After 17 long years, we have been able to participate in the elections in an environment free from fascism, Alhamdulillah. We hope that on the election day, voters can go to the polling centres without any hindrance, and that the level playing field remains equal. The Election Commission and law enforcement agencies should play an effective in this regard.

A total of five candidates from five parties are contesting in the upcoming national polls in Netrokona-2 (Sadar-Barhatta) constituency. 

BNP candidate Dr Anwarul Haque (sheaf of paddy), National Citizen Party (NCP) candidate Fahim Rahman Khan Pathan (shapla koli), Islami Andolan Bangladesh candidate Abdul Qayyum (hand-fan), Bangladesh Khilafat Andolan’s Abdur Rahim (banyan tree) and Jatiya Party's ABM Rafiqul Haque Talukder (plough) are contesting in the polls. 

According to the Election Commission, there are 5,02,4,38 voters in this constituency. Besides, there are 5,1,04 postal voters.