Topu Raihan, son of the late writer and filmmaker Zahir Raihan, has announced that he will contest the 13th National Parliamentary Election from Dhaka-17.
He made the announcement at a press conference held on Sunday at the Abdus Salam Hall of the National Press Club in the capital.
Topu Raihan said: “Although my father was not involved in politics, his writings reflected a strong political consciousness. I believe it is possible to stand by the people even without being a politician. With this understanding, I want to attain political power myself. However, for the time being, I will contest as an independent candidate from Dhaka-17 without joining any political party.”
He added: “I know that Gulshan and Banani are affluent areas, and I am aware of the issues faced by the residents there. At the same time, there are many problems in the underprivileged Korail slum. People there lag far behind in health and education. Therefore, following my decision to contest, I have announced an area-specific manifesto.”
Topu Raihan said: “Even if I lose the election, I will work with the winning candidate to improve the area. I promise that the public will always have direct access to me. I want to open a new horizon of cooperation, moving from I to We.”
At the press conference, Zahir Raihan’s wife and veteran actress Kohinoor Akhter Suchanda revealed that after Zahir Raihan went missing, she had to survive on tree leaves due to extreme hardship.
She said: “There were days when I had to eat leaves with my children because food was so scarce. Yet, I never gave up. I raised my children to be humane and patriotic like their father. I believed they would work for people with political ideals even without entering politics. My dream has come true—they have turned out just like their father.”
Suchanda added: “When I went to the field to fight for the country’s independence, I did not care whether I had shoes or not. Our goal was to build an independent and prosperous nation, even though I did not understand what parliament was at the time.”
She further said: “Although Zahir Raihan did not engage in politics, he always nurtured political ideals. His writings and films consistently spoke for the nation and its people. He always worked for the oppressed and marginalized.”
Suchanda said: “Our youngest son, Topu Raihan, never met his father, but I see a reflection of Zahir Raihan in him. Whenever he gets the opportunity, he rushes to serve the welfare of people. Therefore, I am happy about his decision to contest from Dhaka-17 this time. Winning or losing does not matter; I am confident he will receive the people’s support.”
