Dulal Sorkar , Reporter || Political activity has been picking up in Belabo upazila of Narsingdi ahead of the upcoming upazila parishad election, with potential candidates increasingly coming under discussion among local political circles and voters.Among those being discussed is SM Shaibal Hossain, a social worker, education advocate and former central member of Bangladesh Jatiyatabadi Swechchhasebak Dal.Local people from different walks of life said Shaibal has maintained contact with residents across various unions and wards of the upazila and has been involved in a range of social activities for years.Some locals also said he had spoken out against drugs, violence and corruption at different times.Although he has not held an elected public office, his supporters say he has provided assistance to disadvantaged people through personal initiatives and financial contributions.They also point to his activities during the Covid-19 pandemic, claiming that he distributed food and protective materials among unemployed and vulnerable families by visiting their homes.Support for poor families during festivalsAccording to local residents, Shaibal has also provided Eid essentials and financial assistance to low-income people during Eid-ul-Fitr and Eid-ul-Azha each year.They said he has also visited several Hindu temples in the upazila during Durga Puja and provided financial assistance.Education among areas of focusHis involvement in education has also drawn attention locally.Residents said he has financially supported poor and meritorious students to continue their studies and extended assistance to the development of several schools and colleges.He has also been involved in efforts to bring students who dropped out of school back into mainstream education, they claimed.Electoral equation yet to take shapeWith the election approaching, discussions over potential chairman candidates have intensified in Belabo. Local political actors and voters are weighing factors such as party backing, grassroots networks and public acceptance.Field-level discussions suggest that Shaibal Hossain is among the names receiving attention. However, his candidacy has not yet been finalised, and his political position ahead of the election remains a subject of discussion at the local level.The electoral landscape is likely to become clearer once the election schedule is announced and political parties and potential candidates formally disclose their positions.The eventual contest will depend on party decisions, local political alliances and the preferences of voters across the upazila.