Dhaka:Bangladesh is holding its most important election in recent times this week, and the two main parties, the Bangladesh Jamaat-E-Islami and the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), are leaving no stone unturned to engage with the voters amid a tight contest.

For years, under ousted premier Sheikh Hasina's rule, the opposition in the South Asian country had little presence on the streets during polls, either boycotting them or being sidelined by mass arrests of senior leaders.

Now, ahead of Thursday's vote, the roles have reversed. With the official deadline for the end of campaigning at 7:00 am on Tuesday, Monday is the last chance for parties to reach out to voters.

With Hasina's ouster and the subsequent ban on her party-- Awami League-- by the Muhammad Yunus-led interim government, Bangladesh saw the emergence of once allies Jamaat and BNP as the principal players in its politics.

The Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) is widely expected to win, although a coalition led by the Islamist Jamaat-e-Islami is putting up a strong challenge.

A new party driven by Gen-Z activists under the age of 30 has aligned with Jamaat after failing to translate its anti-Hasina street mobilisation into an electoral base.

Analysts believe Jamaat may spring a surprise, as the party is expected to post its best-ever performance in the February 12 polls. 

Source:Ndtv