Odd couples at best

Politics has a habit of creating curious bedfellows—none more stranger than the dalliance between the Muttahida Qaumi Movement-Pakistan and the Awami National Party. Like many alliances brewed in the pre-election season, the MQM-ANP is a one-off arrangement that just does not have the staying power of a full-fledged marital union. The understanding reached between the two parties ahead of the July 25^th election is still significant and symbolic of what more could be achieved if there is sincerity and honesty of purpose. Though neither side is likely to admit it, there is just too much baggage surrounding their acrimonious past. The bitterness they share may be put aside temporarily but perhaps never quite forgotten.

However worthy the goal of reconciliation is, it may be largely out of reach during an election considering the compulsion-driven agendas of the two parties. This is not the first time the two entities have reached out to each other or proposed mutual seat adjustments. A previous overture was made by the MQM-P to the ANP before the last local government elections and though rebuffed it created the opening for such an arrangement today. Karachi more than any other constituency block in the country needs political parties to let go off their mutual animosities and cooperate once in a while. The city, the province and the whole country indeed will profit as a result.

There are currently three major alliances formed elsewhere. The Janubi Suba Mahaz has teamed up with the PTI in Punjab, the Grand Democratic Alliance has appeared in Sindh as an alternative to the PPP and the long defunct Muttahida Majlis-e-Amal has been resurrected. It remains to be seen whether each of these coalition blocs can grab a sizeable share of the political stakes and show their relevance to today’s electoral realities. We watch with interest as events unfold.

Published in The Express Tribune, July 1^st, 2018.

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