The development of Bhola requires not merely political will but effective planning and coordinated effort, political leaders agreed at a national dialogue held in the island district ahead of the 13th parliamentary election. The dialogue, titled “Our Thoughts on a Fair Election and Bhola’s Development,” was held on January 29 at the COAST Centre, Bhola.

Organised jointly by the non-governmental development organisation COAST Foundation and the daily Bonik Barta, the event was moderated by COAST Foundation’s Director of Administration Mustafa Kamal Akanda. Attendees included local parliamentary candidates, political leaders, media professionals and NGO representatives.

“COAST Foundation was born in Bhola’s Charfassion,” said Mustafa Kamal Akanda. “Out of that deep-rooted connection, we want the issues of Bhola to reach all of Bangladesh through the election candidates, and for this to become a model for other constituencies.”

He cited the islanders’ primary demand as an effective transport link to the mainland, specifically the construction of a permanent bridge. He also stressed the need for clear plans to protect hilsa fish and manage coastal disasters. Highlighting Bhola’s significant economic potential, COAST Foundation’s Executive Director Rezaul Karim Chowdhury said, “Nearly 30 percent of the country’s total hilsa supply comes from Bhola. If juvenile fishing is stopped, the market price of hilsa could reach BDT 2,000 to 3,000 within a few months, up from BDT 500, which would be profitable for both fishermen and traders.”

Nurul Islam Nayon, the BNP-nominated candidate for Bhola-4 constituency, stated, “People in the char areas seek security for life and property amid extreme poverty. Their demands include permanent embankments and roads, electricity supply, educational development and drug control.”

Regarding the electoral environment in Bhola-1 constituency, Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami candidate Md Nazrul Islam said, “There have been no major election-related threats in Bhola so far. The positive mindset of local political parties is crucial to maintaining a peaceful election atmosphere.”

Amirul Islam Baset, convenor of the District Press Club, noted that rapid development of the chars is possible if political leadership eschews greed. “The marginal reality in education is that many boys are involved in drug use and child labour, while girls lag behind in schooling,” he added.

District Fisheries Officer Md Iqbal Hossain stated, “The char areas are natural breeding grounds for fish. Nearly 90 percent of fish are destroyed due to illegal nets. It’s essential to properly distribute identity cards and allocations to fishermen so the genuine ones benefit.”

Sufal Roy, the Sadar Range Officer of the district, said manpower is limited for conserving Bhola’s forests, wildlife, eco-parks and mangrove plantations. “Forests are being damaged by buffalo grazing on the land indiscriminately,” he said, “and effective management is needed due to climate change.”

BNP candidate for Bhola-2 constituency, Md Hafiz Ibrahim, identified unemployment and a lack of industry despite natural gas reserves as the district’s main problem. “Gas-based industry, power plants, an EPZ and the construction of a Bhola-Barisal bridge are the keys to Bhola’s development,” he said.

Jatiya Party candidate for Bhola-1, Akbar Hossain Noyon, said, “If elected, my priorities will be improving the living standards of the poor, expanding technical education, establishing an economic zone and resolving local court case backlogs.” For Obaidur Rahman, candidate from the Islami Andolan Bangladesh in the same seat, development priorities include protecting Bhola’s oil, gas and mineral resources, preventing river erosion, ensuring fair allocations, and setting up gas-based industries.

Abu Taib, candidate for the Gono Odhikar Parishad in Bhola-3, said, “If elected, I want to build a youth-centric Bhola. Developing education, health and communication infrastructure is the most pressing demand of its people.” Nizamul Haq, candidate for the Bangladesh Development Party in the same constituency, stated, “A fair election is paramount. I expect that elected representatives will work to implement their pledges.”

Mosleh Uddin, another Islami Andolan Bangladesh candidate, said, “If elected, I’ll work to improve the living standards of disabled and third-gender people. I also wish to contribute to ending extortion at the Chattogram-Bhola ferry ghat.”

Advocate Jahangir Alam Rintu, Jatiya Party candidate in Bhola-2, said, “The administration’s neutrality and candidates’ tolerant conduct must be ensured for a fair election. If elected, I’ll focus on tourism, technical education, social justice and the economic development of Bhola’s people.”

Wrapping up the dialogue, COAST Foundation board member Mobashir Ullah Chowdhury stressed the need for sincere work to develop marginalised communities. “It’s possible to work for people’s development even without being elected,” he said. “Make logical promises to solve problems.”