Rise of the Right: JI, JUI-F ‘warm up’ in search of common ground

Say both parties agree a decision is necessary to contain division of ‘religious’ vote bank.

PESHAWAR:

Two of the largest right-wing parties of the country, Jamaat Islami (JI) and Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam (JUI-F) will possibly reach a consensus on seat-adjustment within Khyber Pakhuntkwa (K-P), as leaders from both parties have expressed their willingness.

The JI and JUI-F, who were both previously part of the ruling Muttahida Majlis Amal (MMA), earlier failed to develop an understanding. However, under the changing political circumstances they have warmed up to each other again whilst eyeing the ‘religious’ vote bank of the province.

A six-member committee was formed after the leadership of both parties agreed on some sort of electoral cooperation. The committee includes Shabbir Ahmed Khan, Mushtaq Ahmed Khan and Dr Iqbal Khalil from JI and Maulana Gul Naseeb Khan, Maulana Attaur Rehman and Shamsur Rehman Shamsi of the JUI-F.

Leaders of both parties have met twice during the past few weeks, with the last meeting held on March 21.

A member of the committee from JUI-F told The Express Tribune both parties met on March 21 and tried to arrive at a formula to work collectively ahead of the general elections. “The 2002 distribution of seats under the MMA also came under discussion besides other options,” said the committee member, adding leadership of both parties directed their district chapters to send recommendations by March 25, after having weighed all available options.

“The district chapters of both parties have a better picture of possible electoral adjustments,” he said, adding that if they agree, they will send reports to the provincial leadership, which will then decide on what needs to be done.

One of the main reasons behind engaging the district chapters of both parties was to lessen the differences that have developed over the years, said the JUI-F leader.

However, sources within the JUI-F added both parties desired something more than plain seat adjustment as both wanted to preserve the religious parties’ vote bank. “Each party knows a candidate backed by both parties is very difficult to defeat,” he said.

He also disclosed the senior leadership from each party was serious to the extent that district leaders’ decisions could be overruled in case they went against seat adjustment.

A JI leader requesting anonymity confirmed leaders from both parties, who met a few days ago, were likely to meet again. The JI leader further said district chapters had no authority in entering an alliance as their role was limited to informing provincial leadership about any partnership possibilities they saw.

He confirmed two rounds of talks had already been held with JUI-F negotiators, and that the murkiness surrounding the process would settle within a week or so.

The JI leader said his party was also negotiating with Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N)  and Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf.

Four rounds of talks have taken place between JUI-F and PML-N and both parties have also agreed on an electoral collaboration.

Published in The Express Tribune, March 24^th, 2013.