Twenty incumbent MPs, including two from reserved seats, are contesting the 12th parliamentary elections as independent candidates after failing to secure nomination from Awami League, making the polls festive and competitive.

Of them, 17 were elected MP in the last general election on AL ticket while another won after running independently.

As BNP boycotted the polls slated for 7 January, the participation of strong independent candidates -- most belonging to the ruling party -- has made the election race festive and competitive.

Awami League allowed party leaders to run independently for some strategic reasons and taking the advantage, many party leaders and current MPs, who failed to secure party nomination, are contesting the polls as independent candidates.

The Election Commission’s assertion that sitting MPs would not have to resign if they take part in the election as independent candidate also encouraged them to join the race. These MPs did not also need to submit signatures of 1% voters of their constituencies in line with the Representation of the People Order.

Visiting different constituencies of the country, it was seen that the contesting current MPs were elected with party symbol in the past are now urging voters not to vote for the symbol.

In Mymensingh-9 seat, AL running MP Anwarul Abedin Khan Tuhin is participating in the polls as an independent candidate against AL runner MA Salam.

In Jamalpur-4 constituency, present MP Murad Hasan, who was dropped for his controversial activities, is running independently with ‘Eagle’ symbol. His opponent candidate is AL’s Mahbubur Rahman.

While talking to the Daily Sun about his fight against ‘Boat’ symbol, Murad said, "It’s not me but the voters of Sarishabari upazila say ‘Eagle’ will win the race.”

In Tangail-5 (Sadar) constituency, AL MP Sanwar Hossain, also vice-president of district Awami League, is contesting the polls as an independent candidate. Mamun-Or-Rashid is the AL contestant in the seat.

Sanwar Hossain said, "As a two-term MP, I unleashed development in my area. I’m in the election to keep the development spree going.”

In Gazipur-3 constituency, current MP and district AL General Secretary Iqbal Hossain Sabuj is running as an independent candidate with ‘Truck’ against AL’s Prof Rumana Ali Tusi, a reserved seat MP and daughter of former AL central leader and minister Advocate Rahmat Ali, who was elected MP five times from the seat.

The Boat-Truck competition has been festive in the seat, locals said.

Enamul Haque, who won the Rajshahi-4 constituency three times in a row with ‘Boat’, is now urging people not to vote for this symbol as he is vying with ‘Scissors’.

Former Taherpur mayor Abul Kalam Azad, also a member of an AL subcommittee, got the party nomination. AL picked Azad after reviewing various complaints against Enamul over the past several years.

“I hope voters will vote for me to implement my plan to build a smart constituency,” Enamul told the Daily Sun. `Another two-term AL MP, Salim Uddin Tarafder, joined the race as an independent candidate in Naogaon-3 constituency against ruling party contender Sourendra Nath Chakraborty.

Salim Uddin, “The election will prove my achievements over the last 10 years. I believe voters will cast their votes to have me serve them again.”

Naogaon-4 independent candidate Imaz Uddin Pramanik, current MP and former textiles and jute minister, is highlighting his achievements to woo voters against AL runner Md Nahid Morshed.

Gaibandha-4 MP Monowar Hossain Chowdhury is fighting against AL’s Salahuddin Miaji after failing to secure party nomination.

Sunamganj-1 MP Moazzem Hossain Ratan is vying as an independent aspirant against AL candidate Ranjit Chandra Sarker.

Independent candidate Joya Sengupta, MP, is running with ‘Scissors’ in Sunamganj-2 (Derai-Shalla) constituency against AL’s Al Amin Chowdhury.

Joya Sengupta, wife of Suranjit Sengupta, was elected MP from the seat after his death.

She is asking for people’s support describing the AL candidate as an oppressor and corrupt element. She is confident that people will vote for her for development she unleashed as an MP.

AL leader Moyez Uddin Sharif Ruel secured AL nomination in Habiganj-2 constituency against three-term MP Abdul Majid Khan, who is now running as an independent contestant.

Whip Shamsul Hoque Chowdhury, three-term ruling party MP from Chattogram-12 (Patiya) constituency, is contesting the election as an independent candidate this time.

The nomination of Cox’s Bazar-1 AL candidate Salahuddin Ahmed was scrapped on charges of default loans. However, current MP Zafar Alam decided to run as an independent aspirant as he did not get the ruling party’s ticket. The local unit of party backed Kalyan Party Chairman Syed Muhammad Ibrahim as per the high command.

Ibrahim was associated with BNP for 10 years. Recently, he drew attention by announcing his participation in the election.

In Jashore-4, three-term AL MP Ranjit Kumar chose to run independently as the ruling party gave the ticket to Enamul Haque Babul.

Jhenaidah-3 MP Shafiqul Azam Khan Chanchal is contesting the polls as an independent candidate with ‘Truck’ symbol.

Satkhira-2 MP Mir Mostaq Ahmed Robi is running against AL’s Md Asaduzzaman Babu as an independent after failing to secure the party nomination.

In Barishal-4, current MP Pankaj Nath is contesting the polls as an independent candidate against AL’s Shammi Ahmed, also party’s international relation affairs secretary.

Meanwhile, the Appellate Division of the Supreme Court has rejected a petition filed by Shammi Ahmed to get back her candidacy, denying her the opportunity to contest the election.

In Faridpur-4 constituency, Jubo League Presidium member Mujibur Rahman Chowdhury alias Nixon Chowdhury, also an independent MP, is fighting against AL contestant Kazi Zafarullah.

Two other ruling party MPs from reserved seats -- Anjum Sultana Sima from Cumilla-6 and Tahmina Begum from Madaripur-3 – are fighting against AL runners in their respective seats.