11-party candidate pledges focusing on health, education, road development in Patuakhali-1

Mohammad Abdul Wahab, candidate of the 11-party alliance for Patuakhali-1 constituency in the upcoming 13th national parliament election, has pledged to prioritise health, education, tourism and road development if he gets people's mandate.

Abdul Wahab is a renowned psychiatrist, social worker, writer and political figure. He is currently serving as the Senior Joint Chairman of Amar Bangladesh Party (AB Party).

After earning his MBBS degree from Sher-e-Bangla Medical College, he joined the Bangladesh Army as a medical officer.

Later, he obtained a Diploma in Psychiatry (DPM) from Dhaka University and an FCPS (Psychiatry) degree from Bangladesh College of Physicians and Surgeons (BCPS).

Speaking in an exclusive interview with Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha (BSS), Wahab said that as a physician, strengthening the healthcare sector would be his top priority.

"Ensuring quality treatment in hospitals and clinics in the constituency is my first goal," he said, adding that improving educational institutions and expanding employment opportunities would also receive special attention.

He highlighted plans to modernise Kuakata and transform it into a world-class tourist destination, alongside initiatives to expand the fishing industry.

"We will take steps to construct a six-lane road, pothole-free road to improve communication and support economic growth," he added.

Regarding election code of conduct, Wahab said party leaders and activists have been strictly instructed to follow the electoral code of conduct.

"So far, no violations have occurred in this constituency, and I believe people are now more aware and responsible," he noted.

On the July Charter and the referendum, he said his position aligns fully with that of his party and alliance.

"The July Charter and referendum will help close the path to fascism. Therefore, I support the 'yes' vote and encourage people to do the same," he said.

Expressing his expectations for the upcoming polls, Wahab stressed the need for a free, fair and impartial election.

"This is the shared expectation of those who participated in the mass uprising of 2024, those who were martyred and those who were deprived over the last 17 years," he said.

Patuakhali-1 constituency, comprising Patuakhali Sadar, Mirzaganj and Dumki upazilas, is one of the politically significant seats in the southern region of the Barishal division.

The constituency has a total of 505,835 voters, including 254,335 male voters, 251,492 female voters and eight third-gender voters, according to election office sources.

Other candidates for the seat, including BNP nominee Altaf Hossain Chowdhury, Abdul Mannan Howlader of Jatiya Party, Gautam Chandra Shil of Bangladesh JASSD, Md Firoz Alam of Islami Andolan Bangladesh (IAB), Shahidul Islam Fahim of the Gono Odikar Parishad alongside 11-party alliance candidate Abdul Wahab.