Balloters have been left only to a leaflet that states he was born in Dhaka in 1960 in a respectable Muslim family and started his political career as a member of Jago Jubo Dal, the youth wing of BNP, in 1978. The leaflet, circulated by the courtesy of the Doctors' Association of Bangladesh, however refrained from elaborating his family background.

No mention of education qualifications was made in the leaflet although it describes Falu as a writer and publisher of several books on Islamic, historical and development issues.

Falu first came into the political limelight in 1991, when he was appointed personal secretary to then prime minister Khaleda Zia. He worked closely with Khaleda to organise and inspire BNP against the Awami League regime during 1996-2001, the handbill goes on to say.

Falu was re-appointed as the PM's personal secretary after BNP roared back to power in 2001 and quit his post only when he filed his nomination for the by-polls.

A prominent sports organiser, Falu has been the president of the Mohammedan Sporting Club for the past decade. He has also received numerous awards for organising educational, cultural and social activities and playing significant role against drug-peddlers in his constituency.

Asked about his background at his election campaign rally yesterday, Falu assured The Daily Star of providing his autobiography. It did not arrive till filing of this report last night.