Chaudhrys of Gujrat at war with each other

Wajahat parts ways with elder brother Shujaat, announces new party

GUJARAT:

Simmering in-house duels in the PML-Q – and the Chaudhry household – turned volcanic on Saturday after Chaudhry Wajahat Hussain, brother of party’s chief Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain, announced he would be carving out another party.

Addressing a press conference in Gujrat, Wajahat vowed to make good on his promise to PTI Chairman Imran Khan, saying he will not abandon the former prime minister “unlike his brother”.

The announcement follows Wajahat's recent warning to Shujaat to decide about parting ways with the ruling PML-N until June 30 amid a bubbling discontent within the ranks of the party about aligning with the ruling PML-N.

The former federal minister, who is presently in the Pervaiz Elahi camp, said Salik Hussain, who was recently sworn in as a federal minister and is the son of Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain, "never had anything to do with Gujrat's politics".

"Opponents who have not been able to defeat us in our constituencies and districts are tearing our house apart," he said while referring to the political manoeuvrings happening since the vote of no confidence against former premier Imran Khan.

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Speaking on the occasion, Wajahat Hussain's eldest son, MNA Chaudhry Hussain Elahi said that he would "fight the opponents with courage. Now there is no way back, the PML-N government is registering cases against Chaudhry Pervaiz Elahi and Moonis Elahi."

Shujaat shrugs off the threat

However, in a series of tweets, PML-Q President Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain shrugged off the threat, saying a new party in the midst of countless others sprawling across the country, “a new party wouldn’t make any difference”. He denied the allegations of being bribed into embracing the new dispensation.

“There are already hundreds of parties in Pakistan. What difference will it make if another one is formed?” he said.

The PML-Q chief also said that his brother had accused his sons of taking dollars from PPP Co-chairperson Asif Ali Zardari after talking to “some people” in Gujrat.

“If he said those things then they were very vulgar. I have not raised my kids like this, my children are quiet because I told them. I have taught them to always speak the truth and keep their promises,” he asserted.

Shujaat maintained that his sons had backed PM Shehbaz Sharif at the latter’s request and clarified that the party did not ask for any ministry from anyone.

“Chaudhry Wajahat has alleged that my son has become a minister by begging and has no constituency. I will go to Gujarat at some point and answer these questions in front of the people of Gujarat and tell them who has which constituency,” concluded Shujaat.

The rift and Wajahat’s influence

Speculations had been rife that a rift had emerged between the Chaudhry brothers in light of the no-confidence motion against former prime minister Imran Khan, turning the intra-party chasm irredeemably sour.

While Chaudhry Pervaiz Elahi, along with his son Moonis Elahi had chosen to side with Imran Khan, party supremo Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain had sided with the PML-N.

The family’s new generation, which came of age politically after inheriting the strong political legacy from the Chaudhry brothers, has apparently abandoned the traditions.

The two shrewd PML-Q leaders have over the years earned prominence for their foresightedness in national politics, which eventually led to the party’s elevation in the political sphere. However, it is also hard to ignore the behind-the-scenes maneuverings and the role played by Chaudhry Wajahat Hussain. The trio has successfully forwarded the political legacy of Chaudhry Zahoor Elahi.

The family’s new generation, which came of age politically after inheriting the strong political legacy from the Chaudhry brothers in Gujarat, has apparently abandoned the traditions.

The 'ginger group' is now on the cusp of being transformed into an independent party.

In the aftermath of the no-confidence vote and shifting allegiances, the family stands at a crossroads where it is marred by internal differences, as two major camps exist within the party -- those who support the PML-N and the other that backs the PTI.

Shujaat sides with the PML-N given that his son, Chaudhry Salik Hussain, desired to become a federal minister in the incumbent coalition set-up. Meanwhile, Shujaat’s younger brother Wajahat and his son, Chaudhry Hussain Elahi, tread the opposite route, desiring to align with the PTI.

Shujaat’s youngest brother, Chaudhry Shafaat Hussain, who is disgruntled with the family’s policies, remains silent and has withdrawn from the family.