Neck and neck fight between AL, its 'rebel' likely
Tomorrow's by-election in Tangail-8 (Sakhipur-Basail) constituency is likely to see the main contest between Awami League (AL) nominated candidate Anupom Shajahan Joy, and 'rebel' party candidate Abdul Malek Miah.
Anupom, hailing from Sakhipur upazila, is contesting with boat symbol and Abdul Malek Miah, from Basail upazila, with deer symbol.
Two other contestants in the by-election are Jatiya Party (Manju) leader Sadek Siddique (bicycle symbol), and independent candidate Dr Liakat Ali (cock symbol).
Of the total 3,07,397 voters in the constituency, 1,88,320 are from Sakhipur and 1,19,077 from Basail upazila.
The parliamentary seat fell vacant after AL lawmaker Shawkat Momen Shajahan died of cardiac arrest on January 20 this year.
A large number of local AL men believe that the voters will elect Anupom Shajahan Joy, son of Shawkat, in recognition to the deceased lawmaker's contribution for the constituency and its people.
However, a portion of the local AL men are working in favour of 'rebel' party candidate Abdul Malek Miah, former general manager of Bangladesh Bank.
AL has already expelled its four upazila and union level leaders following allegation of their working in favour of the rebel candidate, party sources said.
Several local AL leaders campaigning for Malek termed party-backed candidate Anupom Shajahan Joy as 'immature' in politics.
As BNP is not taking part in the by-election, the supporters of rebel Malek are expecting his sure win if the BNP voters in the two upazilas cast their votes for him.
Jatiya Party (Manju) nominated candidate Sadek Siddique, and independent candidate Dr Liakat Ali, a USA expatriate, are also in the polls race.
Both of them have expressed hope of winning.
The EC has already made preparations to hold the polls free and fair, said Syed Md Khurshid Anwar, returning officer of the by-election.
The number of polling centres in the constituency is 117 and of these, 40 have been identified as 'important' and 60 as 'very important', Khurshid, also regional election officer in Mymensingh, said.
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