The PPP lost in Badin because it spent more time maligning Zulfikar Mirza instead of focusing on the district's issues
KARACHI: Dr Zulfikar Mirza’s win in Badin in the local government (LG) elections sparks a signal of change in Sindh, but the question is: what will this change signify? Looking at the history and various controversies associated with Mirza, it is unclear whether he will be able to solve the problems faced by the people of Badin, who many feel voted for him because the PPP had lost the services of some strong personalities in the district.
The people of Sindh might be close to achieving some sort of change, but it will only be from within the PPP. The party won in Thatta, Sujawal, Thar and Dadu by fielding new candidates. In Sujawal, newcomers like Dr Altaf Khoja, Iqbal Memon and others won and the PPP was victorious on almost all of the seats of the 27 union councils. This shows that change in Sindh is possible, but it must come through the end of political dynasties in the province. This time, the PPP selected many of its candidates for the LG polls from minority communities, a case in point being Tharparkar, where 70 per cent of the candidates were from minorities and faced off against the Arbab Group. Around 80 per cent of Tharparkar’s population consists of minorities and the PPP’s selection paid off as its candidates won almost all seats of the union councils. The reason that the PPP lost in Badin is because the party spent more time maligning and targeting Mirza instead of focusing on the issues of the district; it deserted Badin and no one paid attention to the voters.
While Mirza is now thinking about forming a new party, it remains to be seen whether it will emerge as a genuine force in Sindh as each district of the province faces different issues. Mirza’s win in Badin does not ensure his victory in other constituencies. However, he can give the PPP a tough fight if the party’s elected representatives and the Sindh government do not work for the people. The PPP still has time to deliver and learn lessons from the Badin debacle. Otherwise, Mirza is entirely capable of putting a dent in its popularity.
Aijaz Ali Khuwaja
Published in The Express Tribune, November 25th, 2015.
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