Provincial politicking : ANP hints at ‘electoral adjustment’ with JUI-F

After JUI-F chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman termed his party as alternate to ANP, ANP’s announcement came as a surprise.

PESHAWAR:

The ruling Awami National Party (ANP) on Monday hinted at an electoral adjustment with the Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam (JUI-F) for the next general elections.

After JUI-F chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman termed his party as an “alternate to the ANP”, the ANP’s announcement came as a surprise.

A statement issued after ANP’s provincial cabinet meeting confirmed that the party was negotiating with the JUI-F in some districts of the province to forge an alliance.

However, the JUI-F, on its part, downplayed this assertion while admitting that some ANP politicians have been contacted in some districts.

JUI-F’s provincial spokesperson Haji Jalil said that so far the party had not made any decision, adding that their first priority will be an alliance with other religious groups.

Elaborating the party’s stance, he said that the JUI-F had formed a committee headed by Maulana Attaur Rehman to negotiate with other parties.



Confirming that the district leadership of the JUI-F was contacted by the ANP, Jan said that the central and general councils meetings were scheduled for November 29 and December 1 in Peshawar, where they will look into reports from party’s district chapters about seat adjustment and alliances.

The ANP’s cabinet has authorised Provincial President Afrasiyab Khattak to contact electable candidates for joining the party.

Holding large public gatherings at the district level as part of its election campaigning was also approved.

On September 9, Fazlur Rehman had denied any prospect of an electoral alliance with the ANP.

Talking to journalists in Peshawar, he had said: “People are fed up with the ANP’s policies and will vote the JUI-F into power.”

Published in The Express Tribune, November 27^th, 2012.