'Chinese bhabi' campaigns for husband in Kushtia-3
Though she speaks Bangla haltingly, her warm smile and sincerity have been winning over voters with ease
An unusual scene has emerged on the campaign trail in Kushtia-3 (Sadar) ahead of the upcoming 13th national parliamentary election, as a foreign woman is going from village to village seeking votes for her husband.
She is Wang Lina, the wife of Zakir Hossain Sarkar, the candidate nominated by the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP).
Though she speaks Bangla haltingly, her warm smile and sincerity have been winning over voters with ease.
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While party leaders and activists call her "Chinese bhabi," ordinary voters have begun referring to her simply as "Zakir's wife."
Her presence across villages in Kushtia Sadar has sparked curiosity among locals. Yesterday, she spoke with voters in the Kanchanpur and Ratulpara areas.
"I am learning Bangla slowly. My daughter and sister-in-law teach me. My husband is a good person, an engineer from BUET. Please vote for the sheaf of paddy for my husband," Lina said while seeking votes.
These broken but heartfelt words have become an added attraction for villagers. Women and children, in particular, are seen gathering around her. Some hold her hand, others take photos, while many stop just to listen.
Lina said she is impressed by the warmth of the rural people. "Village people are very friendly. They ask my name, what I have eaten, and when I arrived. They are interested in everything. I like coming out for campaigning," she said.
Interest and curiosity were also evident among ordinary villagers. An elderly woman came out of her house after hearing about the campaign, saying, "I heard Zakir's wife was coming, so I came to see her. She is a very good woman. She speaks with a smile."
In this constituency, Zakir's main rival is Jamaat-e-Islami-nominated candidate Amir Hamza.
Lina's presence has given fresh momentum to the BNP's election campaign. Videos of her campaigning have already spread widely on social media.
Asked about her role, Zakir said reaching female voters had become easier through his wife.
"As she is a foreigner, she also wants to immerse herself in our country's culture and people. Together, our campaigning is taking on a new dimension," he said.
Wang Lina has been living in Bangladesh since 2011–12 and is currently overseeing several of her husband's business ventures.
