DERA GHAZI KHAN: The candidates of two mainstream political parties are facing a tough time due to poor response from the masses in the by-election to NA-172, a constituency vacated following the death of former president Sardar Farooq Ahmed Khan Leghari.
The PML-Q has awarded the ticket to Sardar Awais Ahmed Khan Leghari (bicycle), former federal minister for Information Technology and Telecommunication, while Sardar Shabbir Ahmed Khan Leghari (arrow) and Hafiz Abdul Kareem (lion) are representing the PPP and the PML-N respectively. The elections are scheduled for March 24 while the polling scheme has also been announced by the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP).
Although certain other factors are also involved, but both big parties are taking least interest in canvassing for their candidates. Both candidates are canvassing with their own resources while supporters are playing the role of a silent spectator. It is being observed that influential families are supporting the PML-Q candidate not on political grounds, but due to their old affiliation with the Leghari Group.
Political analysts believe that the PPP would secure low votes as compared to the 2008 general elections due to poor representation in the area. “The situation was entirely different at that time due to the assassination of Benazir Bhutto that motivated the general voters with development of the soft corner. During the PPP’s three-year term, the federal government has completely ignored the district. Moreover, the PPP contestant cannot motivate the high command and the political leadership of the party to visit the constituency and address the public gathering so far.”
There is another concept that though the PPP candidate is not being considered a winning horse, but his candidature is indirectly favouring PML-Q candidate Sardar Awais Ahmed Khan Leghari who is a close relative of PPP’s candidate Shabbir Leghari. PPP workers will never vote for Awais as his father Farooq Ahmed Leghari had dismissed the PPP government on various charges. Votes will be divided, giving an edge to Sardar Awais Khan Leghari.
As far as the PML-N contestant is concerned, he had earlier contested first time against Sardar Farooq Ahmed Khan Leghari in 2008 at the time when the PML-N failed to field a solid, experienced and influential contestant. However, he had given a tough time to his high-profile rival that was really unexpected even to the PML-N.
Political pundits are of the view that the by-election is the real test for the PML-N and the PPP. The city that comprises over 50 per cent area of the constituency is presenting a deserted look after all the roads have been cut for the construction. The new water supply and sewerage lines are being laid but owing to mismanagement and poor planning of the bureaucracy and the ruling PML-N, all development activities have been started simultaneously while no project could so far be completed during three years.
During the recent rainy spell that persisted for around two weeks, there was mud everywhere in the city and life came to a standstill. The deep ditches dug out for the sewerage lines, debris, choked sewerage and water pipes are seen everywhere. Deadlines and extended deadlines claimed by the DCO and the commissioner just proved to be a bureaucratic tactic to normalise the situation and satisfy the residents who are facing problems due to incomplete uplift schemes.
The pundits say that the Leghari Group is in a better position while the PML-N candidate seems to be in a strong position in urban areas. Voters are of the view that an unannounced compromise exists between both tribal feudal lords and they are supporting each other. As many as 15 candidates are in the race after JUI candidate Maulana Muhammad Iqbal Rasheed announced support for the PML-Q candidate.
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