The ‘Divider of the Opposition’

Syed Yousaf Raza Gilani’s ‘selection’ as Leader of the Opposition in Senate has not only exposed but widened the serious fault lines existing in the PDM. The paradoxical effect of Gilani’s new position is that while he is designated as the Leader of the Opposition, the consequences and nature of his position essentially makes him the ‘Divider of the Opposition’.

PDM’s main objection to Gilani’s elevation to the post has nothing to do with the choice of the candidate or the fact that he belonged to the PPP but rather the manner in which he was nominated. In the days between Gilani’s defeat in the Senate chairman election and his notification as leader of the opposition in the Upper House, multiple cracks began to surface within the PDM leading many political commentators to pronounce the 10-party alliance ‘dead’.

Among the differences that had emerged within the PDM, apart from decisions on the modus operandi and the exchange of unpleasant statements between PPP and the PML-N leaders, was the choice of candidate to for the opposition leader’s position. The PML-N and the JUI-F were in favour of nominating PML-N Senator Azam Nazeer Tarar whereas the PPP insisted that since it was the single largest opposition party in the upper house it had the due right to nominate a candidate. In order to secure Gilani’s nomination before the PML-N could file the documents for its candidate, the PPP garnered support from the senators belonging to the Balochistan Awami Party (BAP) – a component of the ruling coalition known to function under the diktats of the establishment. As also pointed out by PML-N Vice President Maryam Nawaz, it is indeed bizarre that the ruling bloc helped in the ‘selection’ of the opposition leader.

This pops up as an interesting twist in Pakistan’s politics as both the government and the opposition are accused as ‘selected’. There is little doubting a deal between the PPP and the powers-that-be over the BAP senators voting for Gilani. The PPP’s political manoeuvre has been widely criticised by those who sympathise with the agenda of the PDM to the extent that it was even termed a betrayal, causing a visible divide in the opposition alliance. The critics, however, should not forget that it was the PML-N that compelled the PPP to seek BAP support as a last resort. Shouldn’t the PML-N leadership be asked about the need to nominate a candidate of their own as Senate opposition leader, given that they are in an alliance with the PPP which is the single largest party in the Senate? If the PML-N can support Gilani for the post of Senate chairman, why not then for the opposition leader the same house? And why did the PML-N only opt for Azam Nazeer Tarar – a lawyer representing accused police officers in the assassination case of Benazir Bhutto? An incongruous choice of Tarar who is a controversial figure in the eyes of the PPP is a great folly of the PML-N leadership. Wasn’t that naïve of the PML-N to expect the widower and the son of Benazir Bhutto as well as PPP senators, parliamentarians and party workers to accept and support Tarar as opposition leader in the Senate?

In conclusion, Gilani’s appointment as Senate opposition leader has disarrayed the opposition. However, the PPP is not entirely to be blamed for the internal division within the opposition camp. Political analysts must subject the PML-N to equal culpability for the current state of paralysis within the PDM.