Although Awami League (AL) candidate for Tangail-2 constituency (Bhuapur and Gopalpur upazilas) Tanvir Hasan Chhoto Monir has been running his election campaign in full swing, BNP nominated Sultan Salahuddin Tuku is in jail.

Former AL lawmaker of Tangail-2 Khandakar Asaduzzaman, who was elected in the 2014 election defeating Jatiya Party (JP-Ershad) nominated Azizur Rahman Tarafder, is not taking part in the upcoming elections due to old age.

Asaduzzaman was also elected lawmaker from the constituency in 1996 and 2008 polls while BNP leader Abdus Salam Pintu was elected lawmaker from the constituency in 1991 and 2001 elections defeating AL candidate Hatem Ali Talukder and Khandakar Asaduzzaman respectively.

AL nominated Tanvir Hasan Chhoto Monir, science and technology affairs secretary of AL district unit this time, while BNP is backing Pintu's younger brother Sultan Salahuddin Tuku, also general secretary of Jubo Dal central unit.

During a recent visit to the area, this correspondent saw Chhoto Monir and his men going door to door to convince the voters.

They also held some large rallies in different areas of the two upazilas, locals said.

Chhoto Monir's elder brother Golam Kibria Boro Monir and a number of influential AL men were also seen active in the campaign.

On the other hand, Saima Parvin, wife of Tuku, who has been in prison for the last three months, has been holding campaigns on behalf of her husband.

Tuku's elder brother and BNP district unit President Shamsul Alam Tofa could not hold any large gathering in support of his brother, fearing arrest.

Sources said BNP men are not staying in their homes as several cases were filed against them in the two upazilas.

The other major candidates are Jahid Hossain Khan (Communist Party of Bangladesh), Enamul Haque (Jaker Party), SM Samsur Rahman (Islami Andolon Bangladesh) and Monirul Islam (Bikolpo Dhara Bangladesh).