PPP will have to give tickets to those who have their own vote bank
ISLAMABAD: Election fervour is at its peak in Kashmir as political parties have begun campaigning but the PPP is currently facing several difficulties. First, the PTI has disturbed its vote bank. Barrister Sultan Mehmood has joined the PTI, which is a shock for the PPP as he has his own huge vote bank. However, the real positions of both the parties will be unveiled after the final selection of the candidates by the PTI as there could be the possibility of an alliance of both parties.
The people of Kashmir were not happy with the performance of the PPP during its tenure. The party has to attract the people again with a new slogan rather than the same old chants. The PML-N is also a great challenge for the PPP. The 12 seats of refugees in the Constituent Assembly of Kashmir have decisive power. The federal government has always had influence over these seats, so there are very little chances for the PPP. Furthermore, the PPP lacks leadership qualities. It is still confused as to whom it should give tickets. In Kashmir, people usually vote based on caste rather than on party ideology, so the PPP will have to give tickets to those who have their own vote bank. The current scenario in Kashmir is not favourable for the party. However, if it manages to get majority votes on refugees’ seats, goes with an attractive slogan, gives tickets to reliable candidates, and if the PTI forms an alliance with it in some constituencies, then the PPP can make some headway.
Arslan Rasheed Malik
Published in The Express Tribune, May 15th, 2016.
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