On the campaign trail: A close race in the offing
Candidates are campaigning in Faridpur-2 (Nagarkanda-Saltha) for what is likely to be a close race between ruling Awami League's Shahdab Akbar Labu and independent aspirant Jamal Hossen Mia.
Two late stalwarts -- AL's Syeda Sajeda Chowdhury and KM Obaidur Rahman of the BNP -- fought electoral battles for this seat, which grabbed the attention of the people.
Labu, the youngest son of four-time MP Sajeda, was elected lawmaker in the by-polls last year after the demise of his mother. His contender Jamal is the general secretary of Nagarkanda upazila unit AL.
Bangladesh Khelafat Andolan's Joynal Abedin Bakul Mia is also vying for the seat. The total number of voters in this constituency is 318,472.
Speaking to The Daily Star, many voters said it would be a tight race between Labu and Jamal.
The campaign has already heated up, with both candidates unleashing a war of words against each other.
According to locals and AL leaders, Kaichail, Charjashordi, Fulsuti, and Dangi unions are considered strongholds of the AL nominee, while Jamal has strong voter bases in Talma and Ramangar unions.
Sixty-year-old Nazrul Islam, who runs a tea stall in Kaichail union, said, "Voters here are more loyal to "boat" [the AL's electoral symbol] than to a particular candidate. They have voted for Awami League over the years."
A number of key AL leaders, including Saltha upazila AL President Delowar Hossen, Organising Secretary Sabbir Hossen, and former AL-backed upazila chairman Md Wahiduzzaman are rallying behind Jamal.
"The MP has become isolated from the local people. He also failed to ensure the security of the people. That's why people now want a change. I am rallying behind the independent aspirant to show respect to the people," Delowar, chairman of Saltha Upazila Parishad, told The Daily Star.
The supporters of the AL nominee, however, say Labu has a "clean image" as a politician, and people would vote for him as the successor of his mother, Sajeda.
"Supporters of Jamal Hossen are trying to assassinate the character of the Awami League candidate by bringing false allegations," Mostafa Khan, the AL-backed chairman of Kaichail Union Parishad, said.
Some voters said supporters of the opposition BNP may become a key factor in determining the outcome of the election.
The BNP, which is boycotting the election, has asked its supporters to refrain from voting. But if some of its supporters exercise their franchise, the contest between Labu and Jamal may end closer than anticipated, they said.
"Both Labu and Jamal have voter bases. I think the floating voters may decide this election," said Ali Azam, a resident of Nagarkanda municipality.