Opposition to devise joint strategy in second APC

Given differences in opposition parties, it will be a daunting task for them to make joint font against PTI

ISLAMABAD: Struggling to put up a united front ahead of the elections of prime minister and Punjab chief minister, the opposition forces — including mainstream parties and smaller groups – are expected to hold another session of the all parties conference (APC) today (Thursday).

The previous session of the APC convened by the Muttahida Majlis-e-Amal (MMA) on Friday fizzled out without creating any ripples across the country’s political spectrum as some major opposition entities like the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) not only avoided the moot but also opposed boycotting the assemblies, as recommended by the APC in protest against alleged poll-rigging.

Apparently, today’s meeting is held to map out the strategy to field ‘joint candidates’ for the elections of prime minister, Punjab chief minister as well as speakers and deputy speakers for both the assemblies.



However, on account of divergence in policies of main opposition parties, especially the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) and the PPP, it will be a challenge for the opposition parties to unite to give a tough time to the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf, which has emerged as the leading party in July 25 polls.

Apart from the PML-N and the PPP, smaller political groups including the Awami National Party (ANP), the MMA, the Pashtunkhwa Milli Awami Party (PKMAP) and the Qaumi Watan Party (QWP) are expected to attend the huddle.

While the PML-N is seeking support of opposition parties, especially the PPP, to field candidates for the slots of PM and Punjab CM, the PPP is eyeing the slots of the National Assembly deputy speaker and leader of the opposition in NA, discussions with senior political leaders suggest.

Sources said the PPP may apparently support the opposition parties in fielding a joint candidate for the premiership, yet the party has no intention to effectively lobby for the joint candidate since the party chief Bilawal-Bhutto Zardari has already made it clear that the PPP would sit on the opposition benches in NA. The political party would follow the same policy in Punjab, reportedly.

In the coming days, elections will be held in the National Assembly for leader of the house (prime minister), leader of the opposition and the NA speaker and deputy speaker.

Key political parties are also battling for key slots of the Punjab Assembly’s leader of the house (chief minister), leader of the opposition and its speaker and deputy speaker.

The PML-N is eyeing the position of the Punjab Assembly speaker and has sought the PPP’s support in this regard. In return, the PML-N has offered its support to get a PPP candidate elevated as the PA’s deputy speaker, party sources said.

At the Centre, the PML-N eyes speakership. While the former ruling party has claimed to be in the position to secure the slots of the leader of the house in the NA and the PA but the party leadership is well aware that it is not in position to achieve this target.

“In this scenario, the best the PML-N may get is the slots of the NA and the PA speakers. If it fails to do so, the PML-N will still be in comfortable position to get the slot of leader of the opposition in PA.

“On the other hand, the PPP has no ambitious plans in Punjab. At the Centre, the party would be lucky enough if it ends up getting something like slot of the leader of the opposition or speaker,” said a PML-N leader.



Publically, however, the PPP leaders have reiterated that they are working to secure ‘numbers’ in the NA to contest the PM’s election. In this regard, former PM and PPP bigwig Yousaf Raza Gillani told the media earlier on Monday that the PPP was working to secure the desired strength to get the leader of the house in NA elected from the forum of opposition’s grand alliance.

But some senior PML-N leaders close to party chief Shehbaz Sharif look at the PPP’s intentions with scepticism. “They are not serious. It seems that the PPP is hardly pursuing a concrete plan for the PM or CM Punjab elections,” said a PML-N senator, requesting anonymity.”

“Out of obligation, the opposition parties would probably field a joint opposition candidate to contest the election of the PM and Punjab CM but this would be more of a ceremonial exercise.

“Its aim would be to build the impression that the opposition did not leave space for the PTI and its allies by fielding separate candidates for the premier and CM,” the politician added.