Nurul Islam Moni. Photo : BSS

BARGUNA, Feb 6, 2026 (BSS) – Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) candidate for Barguna-2 Nurul Islam Moni has pledged to create employment, prevent river erosion and promote overall development in the constituency if he gets mandate in the 13th national parliamentary election.

In an exclusive interview with Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha’s (BSS) Barguna correspondent Md. Hafizur Rahman, Moni, BNP’s Vice Chairman and former lawmaker, outlined his plans for the area.

He has been elected to parliament from this constituency three times—first as an independent candidate in 1988 and 1991 and later in 2001 as a BNP nominee.
He noted that the political landscape shifted following the 2024 mass student uprising, after which Sheikh Hasina fled the country. 

Currently, the Awami League reportedly lacks grassroots support, while BNP, Jamaat, and other parties are actively campaigning in the area.

BSS: What are your election pledges for the voters in your constituency?
Nurul Islam Moni: Our election pledges will be prepared at a national level. My constituency, Barguna-2, comprises the upazilas of Betagi, Bamna and Patharghata. 
Our commitments include overall development of the area, prevention of river erosion, creation of employment for the unemployed and helping the hardworking people to become economically self-reliant.

BSS: What instructions have you given your party workers regarding compliance with the election code of conduct?
Nurul Islam Moni: We have given strict instructions to our party workers to adhere to the election code of conduct. They are actively ensuring full compliance during the campaign.

BSS: What is your stance on referendum regarding the July Charter?
Nurul Islam Moni: The July war was fought to defend Bangladesh’s independence. After gaining independence in 1971, our freedom was threatened and undermined by fascism. Many July fighters sacrificed their lives and numerous people were injured in the struggle. Our party honors their sacrifices with the highest respect.

BSS: What are your expectations for the upcoming national parliamentary elections?
Nurul Islam Moni: My first expectation is to win here with the party symbol, the ‘Sheaf of Paddy'. My second expectation is that Tarique Rahman will become the Prime Minister with a two-thirds majority. 

Third, our party has a 31-point agenda, which includes initiatives such as family cards, health cards and agricultural cards for farmers, among other welfare programmes.

After being elected as an MP from the BNP in 2001, he carried out extensive development work in the area, including initiatives in fisheries, agriculture, roads, technical education institutions, bridges, culverts and internal roads.
The Barguna-2 parliamentary constituency comprises Patharghata, Bamna and Betagi upazilas. 
Before 2008, Betagi upazila belonged to the Barguna-1 constituency, while Patharghata and Bamna formed Barguna-2.

Following the re-demarcation of parliamentary constituencies during the caretaker government in 2009, Betagi upazila was incorporated into Barguna-2.
The constituency consists of three upazilas and two municipalities. 

Barguna, a southern coastal district adjacent to the Sundarbans, is bordered by rivers on three sides. As a result, river routes remain the primary mode of communication for most upazilas in the district, with the exception of Betagi upazila.

According to the Election Commission, Barguna-2 has a total of 3,34,804 voters, including 1,66,304 male and 1,68,496 female voters. There are 122 polling centres in the constituency.

A total of nine candidates are contesting the Barguna-2 seat in the upcoming national parliamentary election. They are BNP Vice Chairman and former Member of Parliament from Barguna-2 Nurul Islam Moni ('Sheaf of Paddy' symbol); Jamaat-e-Islami candidate Dr Sultan Ahmed ('Dari Palla'); Islami Andolon Bangladesh candidate Mufti Mizanur Rahman Qasemi (Hat Pakha); Jatiya Party candidate Abdul Latif Farazi (Plough); National People’s Party (NPP) candidate Md Solaiman ('Am' or 'Mango' symbol); Bangladesh Jatiya Party candidate Kamruzzaman Liton ('Kathal' or 'Jackfruit' symbol); Bangladesh Congress candidate Sabbir Ahmed ('Dab' or 'Coconut' symbol); Nationalist Democratic Movement (NDM) candidate Syed Md Najes Afroz ('Singho' or 'Lion' symbol) and independent candidate Mohammad Rashed Uzzaman ('Jahaj' or 'Ship' symbol).