This is the 12th part of a series analyzing parliamentary elections in Tangail-2 constituency (Gopalpur-Bhuapur upazilas)

Rivalry over supremacy in the ruling Awami League has marred the political arena in the Tangail-2 constituency (Gopalpur-Bhuapur upazilas), which is a very important seat in district-level politics.

The bitterness among the top leadership has been exposed as the 12th national election is near, with the current lawmaker and other potential candidates campaigning in various ways, including by hanging banners and festoons, pasting posters, attending party programs, and observing special days. They are also seen participating in various social activities, including developmental work, public meetings, and visits to different areas within the constituency.

Alongside the incumbent member of parliament, other prospective candidates are making various promises to local voters. Some are also continuing election campaigns by donating to various places, including youth clubs, educational institutions, and religious sites.

However, all the candidates are openly taking positions against one another in their respective positions. If one candidate is calling a rally, the other candidate is also calling a similar event at the same place at the same time.

On the other hand, the BNP is in a very advantageous position, as there is only one candidate for this seat.

Tangail-2 constituency consists of seven unions, one municipality of Gopalpur Upazila, and six unions, one municipality of Bhuapur Upazila.

In the 11 parliamentary elections since independence, the Awami League has won five times, the BNP four times, and the Jatiya Party (JaPa-Ershad) and Jatiya Samajtantrik Dal (Siraj) candidates won once.

Tangail-2 constituency has a total of 394,397 voters. Among them, there are 198,438 male voters and 195,957 female voters. Among them are two transgender voters. There are a total of 137 polling stations and 729 polling booths.

Previous polls 

The Awami League's candidate, Hatim Ali Talukder, won the first national parliamentary election in 1973, defeating the National Awami Party's Hatim Ali Khan. In 1979, BNP candidate Afaz Uddin Fakir won. In the 1986 election, Jatiya Party (JaPa-Ershad) candidate Shamsul Haque Talukdar Chhanu won by defeating the Awami League candidate. In 1988, Jasad (Siraj) candidate Abdul Mateen Hiru won the seat.

After the fall of General HM Ershad, BNP leader Abdus Salam Pintu defeated the Awami League's Hatim Ali Talukder in the 1991 elections and was elected as a member of parliament. Pintu was again elected in the election of February 15, 1996. However, Awami League candidate Khandaker Asaduzzaman won the seat in the June 1996 elections.

In the 2001 election, Pintu won again. In the 2008 election, Awami League candidate Khandaker Asaduzzaman was elected for the second time. As Pintu was in jail in the August 21 grenade attack case, his younger brother Sultan Salahuddin Tuku contested the election as a BNP candidate.

The BNP did not participate in the 2014 elections, and Khandaker Asaduzzaman was elected for the third time. But in 2018, the nomination went to businessman Tanveer Hassan, alias Chhoto Monir, who won the 11th parliamentary election.

What is ahead?

One of the potential candidates of the Awami League in this seat is the current member of parliament and Joint General Secretary of District Awami League, Tanveer Hasan Chhoto Monir, 45.

Leaders and activists of the local Awami League said that the current MP, who has signature knowledge as an academic qualification, has underestimated the senior leaders by creating a coterie. But he has made many improvements in the area.

The other candidates are Khandakar Mashiuzzaman Romel, son of late MP Khandakar Asaduzzaman; Gopalpur Upazila Parishad Chairman Yunus Islam Talukdar Thandu; Bhuapur Upazila Awami League President and Municipal Mayor Masudul Haque Masud; and District Awami League Vice President Khandkar Ashrafuzzaman Smriti.

Romel started campaigning in the area recently and announced his candidacy. He does not have any significant leaders or activists or extensive involvement with the people.

Three-time chairman of Gopalpur Upazila Yunus Islam Talukdar Thandu is seeking nomination for the first time.

He said: “I have already submitted my resignation letter. I am hopeful of getting nominated. If I am nominated and elected, I will go for a drug-free programme. Besides, we will increase the quality of reading and writing and build a beautiful city.”

Another nominee, Romel, said: “I am aspiring to be nominated to maintain the legacy of my father. I want to do the unfinished work of my father. I am helping common people as much as possible. Hopefully, I will get nominated this time.”

Current MP Chhota Monir became a popular leader by leading a movement against former lawmaker Rana, who is accused in the murder case of heroic freedom fighter Farooq Ahmad. Because of this, he became a popular leader in Gopalpur-Bhuapur. In addition to organizational work, he is seen initiating and supervising development work in the upazilas.

Regarding the upcoming elections, Chhota Monir said that earlier, the roads in Bhayanpur and Gopalpur upazilas were very bad. 

“I have developed the area in the midst of various difficulties. At present, we have made extensive development of roads in rural areas. I have developed more than Tk3,000 crore in four and a half years in my constituency. I almost fulfilled most of my promises. Electricity has been provided, especially in the grazing areas.

“We have improved the quality of education, freed drugs, and stopped terrorism. Besides, he has done a lot of developmental work in two upazilas under the instructions and advice of the Prime Minister. The Awami League is an old and large political party. Many may seek nominations from this group. I am 100% optimistic about the party.”

BNP’s lone candidate

The BNP is now almost inactive in this constituency due to the death sentence passed on former deputy minister Abdus Salam Pintu, an influential leader of the BNP. His younger brother, Sultan Salahuddin Tuku, president of the central Jubo Dal, contested the election in 2018 and may run for the seat this time.

Pintu is behind bars in connection with the August 21, 2004 grenade attack case. He will not be able to participate in the election due to legal complications. 

In this regard, BNP leaders and activists have said that they are demanding a non-partisan, neutral caretaker government. The BNP will participate in the elections if the caretaker government system is brought in and Khaleda Zia is released. Then Tuku will be elected to this seat.

Apart from the AL and the BNP, the Jatiya Party, Zaker Party and Islami Andolan Bangladesh (IAB) may also field candidates in the next election.