Nomination seekers from various political parties have already hit the campaign trail in the Tangail 2 constituency, comprised of Gopalpur and Bhuapur upazilas.
Retaining the seat will likely be quite challenging for the ruling Awami League. Incumbent Member of Parliament Khandaker Asaduzzaman from the Awami League is now of an advanced age. Party sources say the three-time MP will not contest the upcoming election.
BNP’s Abdus Salam Pintu, who was sentenced to death in the August 21 grenade attack case, was a three-time MP from the constituency.
So far, the Awami League and the BNP have won the seat four times each. The Jatiya Party and JaSaD (Siraj) candidates have each won from the constituency one time.
Most nomination seekers have been trying to attract the attention of their parties and voters with posters, banners and festoons, along with regular campaigning.
Many of them have reportedly stepped up lobbying with influential leaders of their parties to secure nominations.
An increasing number of aspirants in the ruling Awami League is threatening the unity of the party’s local unit. Failure to resolve their differences before the election may give BNP and other rivals an edge over the Awami League.
Who will get picked by AL?
At least six men are trying to gain the party’s approval to contest in the election.
They include Tangail Awami League unit Joint General Secretary and freedom fighter Khandkar Ashrafuzzaman, two-time Gopalpur Upazila Parishad Chairman Yunus Islam Talukder, the incumbent MP’s son and Tangail Awami League unit Science and Technology Affairs Secretary Moshiuzzaman Romel, Col (retd) Mirza Harun-or-Rashid, and US expatriate freedom fighter Nur Nabi.
Ashrafuzzaman said he is optimistic about getting the nomination. “I have worked hard to organize the party during the bad times. I am regularly in touch with the locals. So I am confident about getting picked by the party,” he said.
Yunus said he has worked for the development of the locality and was confident about victory if he were to represent the party in the election.
Moshiuzzaman said the two upazilas of the constituency have seen much development during his father’s tenure. “I took part in his work directly. I am currently campaigning. The people and the party’s activists want me as my father’s successor,” he said.
In addition, Tanvir Hasan, who was one of the leaders of a movement seeking justice for slain Awami League leader Faruk Ahmed, is also seeking nomination.
“I want to play a role in building a digital Bangladesh under the leadership of our leader Sheikh Hasina. I will win if the party picks me,” he said.
Who will get BNP’s nomination?
The BNP will likely want to keep faith in former parliament member and state minister Pintu.
If legal complications prevent him from contesting the election, either of his two brothers – Jubo Dal Secretary General Sultan Salauddin Tuku and Tangail BNP unit chief Shamsul Alam Tofa – will get the nomination, sources said.
But the party leaders and activists said Tuku has been campaigning in the Tangail 5 constituency. In that case, the obvious pick for the Tangail 2 seat would be his brother Tofa.
Apart from them, Bhuapur BNP’s former president and also the former municipal mayor Abdul Khalek Mondol is also seeking nomination from the party.
Other candidates also becoming active
Former parliament member Shamsul Haq Talukder is the likely candidate of the Jatiya Party (Ershad faction). He has been busy campaigning in the area.
Meanwhile, Krishak Sramik Janata League’s Tangail unit President Rafiqul Islam is seeking nomination from his party.
