TANGAIL, Nov 10: Tangail Town, known for its political fervour, has been turned into a hub of rallies, processions, and demonstrations as the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) has not yet declared its candidate for Tangail-5 (Sadar Upazila) Constituency.
Nearly every day, from morning to evening, the streets, intersections, marketplaces, and even residential walls are covered with banners, posters, and festoons promoting the party's hopefuls. Locals now say, "Tangail has become a city of rallies."
On November 6, BNP's General Secretary Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir announced the party candidates for seven of Tangail's eight parliamentary constituencies, leaving only Tangail-5 without a declared nominee. The announcement has ignited intense political activity, as aspirants and their supporters vie for public attention and influence.
Among those seeking party nomination are BNP's Central Publicity Secretary Sultan Salahuddin Tuku, District BNP's General Secretary Advocate Farhad Iqbal, and former joint secretary of the District BNP as well as former president of the Jubo Dal Khondkar Ahmedul Haque Satil. Supporters and activists of these three leaders are staging daily showdowns across the city. Processions, human chains, prayer gatherings, and street rallies have now become a regular scene in Tangail.
Every night, party activists hang up posters, only to have rival supporters replace them with new ones the next morning. Some locals jokingly say, "Even the walls now seem to be asking for votes!"
BNP politics currently show three clear factions in Tangail Sadar Upazila. Sultan Salauddin Tuku is a veteran political figure with long-standing organizational experience. From his days as a student leader and later head of the BNP-affiliated youth wing, Tuku enjoys a strong base of support. His followers conduct leafleting, prayer meetings, and street rallies across all 12 unions of Tangail Sadar Upazila, emphasising his administrative experience and public engagement. Tuku's supporters claim he is the most qualified candidate for Tangail-5.
Meanwhile, Advocate Farhad Iqbal is a seasoned party worker with deep ties to local politics. Known for his steadfast loyalty to the party, even after facing numerous attacks and legal challenges over the past 17 years, he enjoys widespread support in both the town and rural areas. His followers hold rallies, distribute leaflets, and maintain active public outreach, insisting that "Farhad Iqbal is the first choice of BNP's top leadership and should secure the nomination."
Khandakar Ahmedul Haq Satil is popular among younger voters. His motorcycle rallies have captured public attention, and his supporters argue that "Satil Bhai represents youth leadership and the voice of change."
Walking through Tangail, one can see supporters of all three candidates holding processions, rallies, and street meetings. Streets are packed with banners, posters, and festoons. From Baby Stand Mor to Nirala Mor, about a kilometer stretch is covered with campaign materials. Even electric poles, rooftops, and bridges have not been spared.
Local shopkeepers say these political activities occasionally affect business, but they understand the necessity of politics. However, road-blocking programmes draw criticism due to the traffic congestion they cause. Young voters, including Shamim Hossain, Ishtiak Al Mamun, Rajib Barua, Gautam Karmakar, Raziya Akter, Mousumi Khandakar, Dipali Chakraborty, and Barsha Rani Das, express excitement at the competition. For first-time voters, watching the campaigns, rallies, and candidate activities is both inspiring and educational. They are observing, analysing, and eagerly awaiting the nomination announcements.
BNP sources say the party is yet to formally declare a candidate for Tangail-5, but each hopeful is working to strengthen their position. These three senior party figures have been instrumental in keeping the organization active, and the city's political fervour reflects their ongoing influence. Until the nomination is announced, the contest for visibility and support will continue.
Several senior district BNP leaders, speaking anonymously, noted that Tangail BNP is now highly active, and if the central leadership chooses the candidate with balance and fairness, the party is likely to secure the seat. Political analysts observe that after years of relative inactivity, Tangail BNP has reawakened with this competitive nomination race. While it revitalises the organization, it also carries potential risks of internal divisions.
Tangail District Election Commissioner Mohammad Tajul Islam said that the Election Commission, alongside the police, is monitoring candidate behaviour to ensure adherence to regulations. Police Superintendent Mizanur Rahman added that while no incidents have been reported, authorities are keeping a close watch to ensure campaigns remain peaceful. The final verdict on the city's transformation will be evident once the nomination is made-whose victory celebrations will finally light up Tangail.
