Will PPP, PML-Q and Tareen form an alliance?

As a race for wooing former PTI lawmakers continues, PML-N may now face new challenges

LAHORE:

Currently a race is under way in the country’s largest province to woo the politicians who are leaving the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) in the wake of a massive crackdown launched against the party after it allegedly engaged in violent protests following the PTI chief’s arrest on May 9.

The Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) claims to be in contact with three dozen former PTI lawmakers as the Pakistan Muslim League (PML-Q) welcomes more leaders on Sunday into its folds.

However, they are facing a competition from PTI former secretary general Jahangir Khan Tareen, who after having obtained support of a sizable number of former PTI lawmakers, is now reportedly moving towards forming his own political party.

While uncertainty looms large, all these groups seem to be more interested in holding as many press conferences and issuing as many statements as possible, apparently to give the impression that they are the most desirable party in the province now.

The impression will subsequently help them create the image of being the replacement of the PTI, which ruled the province from August 2018 to January 2023.

However, several leaders describe this whole race to garner support of former PTI politicians as meaningless. They claim that the leaders might have left the party out of fear or regret, but the voters are still very much devoted to the party chairman.

The PPP, they admit, may benefit from this exercise as the party which lost Punjab in the last two decades may get notable candidates in almost all constituencies of the province.

They claim that the PPP which is the single largest party in Sindh will become more relevant in the next setup. This fact alone will help bolster the party and enhance its chances of gaining more votes and seats in Punjab provided that it has the right candidates.

A PPP leader said the Tareen group has garnered support of the greatest number of former PTI lawmakers and now the three stakeholders—the PPP, the PML-Q and the Tareen group can form a coalition powerful enough to rule Punjab after the next elections.

“Tareen is a relative of PPP Leader Muhammad Mehmood, so the PPP can use that route to forge an alliance with him,” he said, adding that now that the PTI is out, the PPP’s competition with the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) in Punjab will be fiercer and more ferocious.

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“The PMLN also realizes that the PPP is now in a better position to make a comeback in Punjab in the absence of the PTI,” he said.

The PML-Q on Sunday welcomed PTI leader from Islamabad Dr Amjad along with supporters, while the PPP on Saturday welcomed leaders from Gujranwala into its fold. It said it is in contact with three dozen more PTI lawmakers.

PPP leader Faisal Mir said 40 former PTI lawmakers have shown willingness to join the PPP.
“However, we are waiting for the PTI chief’s elimination from the political scene. The PPP will make a government in Punjab come what may.”

PTI dissenter Saeed Akbar Nawani said if Tareen forms a party then he and other former PTI leaders will join it. He, however, added that the Tareen group will not join the PPP.

When asked as to how many former PTI members had joined the Tareen group, he said the number game was pointless until a party was formed.

Another former PTI legislator Gulrez Afzal Chan said the Chena group has not joined any party as yet.He said he personally was taking some time off from politics.

He said it was better for him to stay away from politics in this environment. He said he was contacted by Murad Ras, who recently announced forming a Democrat group but he declined.

He said many of his friends have also decided to stay away from politics right now. He said he does not see the election happening. He said if elections do take place, the establishment will have to play a proactive role in getting the desired results.

Former PTI MPA and provincial minister Murad Ras announced forming his own group under the name of Democrats, co-led by Col (retd) Hashim Dogar.

Talking to The Express Tribune, Ras said they have the support of a number of former federal ministers, MNAs and MPAs. He, however, refused to divulge any number, stating that they will make a formal announcement in the coming days.

An insider in the PML-Q said the Tareen group is leading the pack in Punjab. He said the PML-Q has the support of several dozen former PTI legislators. “The party is making an effort but is not getting the kind of results it had hoped for,” he said.