With BNP-A’s support, BAP gains simple majority

Latest allegiance increases BAP’s strength to 25 MPAs

QUETTA: A day after the ANP and HDP entered into an alliance with the Balochistan Awami Party (BAP) to form the next provincial government, the BNP-Awami on Monday followed suit.
With the latest alliance, BAP has achieved simple majority in the province.

“The parliamentary committee of BNP-A has decided to support BAP’s nominated candidate as the next chief minister,” said BNP-A Senior Vice President Syed Ehsan Shah while addressing a joint press conference along with BAP President Jam Kamal at a local hotel.
Founder of BAP Saeed Ahmed Hashmi, Senator Anwarul Haq Kakar, Zia Langove, Manzoor Kakar and other leaders of BAP and BNP-A were present.



Addressing the gathering, the BAP president said, “After BNP-A’s support we have gained simple majority to form the next provincial government as our strength has increased to 25 MPAs.

“We have been trying to make alliances with the BNP-M and the MMA to obtain their support in forming a strong provincial government with full majority.”

After developing an internal party consensus, the final name of the next chief minister would be announced, Kamal added.



On former chief minister Abdul Quddus Bizenjo’s meeting with PTI chief Imran Khan, he said, “Imran had called Bizenjo to Islamabad to discuss setting up the new Balochistan government as during the Senate elections, Imran had supported Bizenjo.”

To a query regarding the next Balochistan governor, Kamal said, “Indeed the central government will place its own governors in all provinces, but we are optimistic that Imran and PTI will take us on board while announcing the next governor.”

To another query about Sardar Kethran and Naimatullah Zehri joining BAP, Kamal said, “Time will tell who joins our fold.”



When asked BNP-A’s Shah what if BAP changes its candidate for the chief minister’s slot, he responded, “Kamal is a strong candidate and we have announced our support.”

On Sunday, the Hazara Democratic Party, with its two elected members, formed a political alliance with BAP.

HDP Chairman Khaliq Hazara and Kamal pledged that the next government would put in its utmost efforts to lead the province towards prosperity and development.

"We are willing to form the next provincial government with representation of all political parties which share the same vision as we do about good governance in Balochistan," both the leaders said during a joint news conference.