As the swiftly approaching General Elections scheduled for February 8, 2024, draw near and new alliances take shape in Sindh, the pivotal question surfaces whether the newfound alliances will make inroads into the stronghold of the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP), ruling the province for the last three consecutive terms?
The recent meetings between Pakistan Muslim League (N) leader and former prime minister Shahbaz Sharif, leaders of the Grand Democratic Alliance (GDA) led by Pir Pagara, and Muttahida Qaumi Movement Pakistan (MQMP) to form an election alliance have stirred concerns among PPP ranks.
The critics within the party are characterising this move as an attempt to shrink its mandate as it was done in the 1990s and 2000s.
As political opponents strategise to defeat the ruling party in Sindh, PPP co-chairman Asif Ali Zardari and other party leaders are actively recruiting electables, specifically the influential figures residing in Sindh, with the aim of maximising the party's vote share.
Recent additions to the party's ranks include the Mahars of Ghotki led by Ali Gohar Mahar and the Mahar of Shikarpur led by former federal minister Ghous Bux Mahar, both of whom were previously affiliated with GDA and considered arch-rivals of PPP.
Other notable additions include Dr Amir Abbas Soomro, the grandson of Allah Bux Soomro, Aslam Abro of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), who defeated a PPP candidate in the last general election from Jacobabad, and MQM leaders Raza Haroon and Advocate Anees, along with Dr Sikandar Shoro of Jamshoro, among others.
According to informed sources, PPP also attempted to engage with former chief ministers Liaquat Ali Jatoi and Arbab Ghulam Rahim, but negotiations between them failed to materialise.
Furthermore, political analysts acknowledge the challenge of defeating the PPP's rule in Sindh in the current scenario. However, they believe that a joint strategy by the anti-PPP political alliance could significantly impact the party.
Citing the PPP's track record of the past 15 years, marked by governance issues, lawlessness, poor infrastructure, and a failure to uphold the party's core principles, pundits suggest that an effective alliance could exploit these weaknesses.
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A senior writer Dr Ali Rind said that the lack of transparency in Sindh's elections, stating that the process is often managed by electables with the assistance of government officials. Despite the challenges, he acknowledges the party's established network at the district level, emphasising that political alliances may struggle to overcome its influence.
Zulfiqar Halepoto, a writer, political analyst and environmentalist, contends that the PPP is at risk of losing some seats, including its stronghold in Larkana. Consequently, the party has strategically fielded Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari from Kamber Shahdadkot seat NA 196.
"In the last general election, the Rashid Soomro of JUI-F gave a tough time to Bilawal in Larkana which is why the party has decided to field him in two seats one in Larkana and other Kamber. If Bilawal loses from Larkana, he can win from Kamber with the help of two feudal lords of party belonging to Chandio and Magsi tribes," he said adding that for the first time, the PPP leaders was not contesting the election from Lyari, that has been its stronghold apparently because they are scared of losing the seat too as it was done in last election.
On the other hand, Grand Democratic Alliance (GDA) leaders express confidence that they would form the coalition government in Sindh by winning the majority seats. "PPP has done nothing, but promote corruption, nepotism and bad governance. The 15 years performance especially the post flood situation is blot on its face as it has completely neglected the poor people who lost everything in 2022 rains," GDA leader, Sardar Rahim said.
Talking about the former prime minister Shahbaz Sharif's meeting with Pir Pagara, he said that they would make an election alliance with help of MQM and can form the coalition government in Sindh. Responding to Shahbaz Sharif's meeting with Pir Pagara and MQM, Saeed Ghani of PPP said that the 10-party election alliance in the last general election had faced the defeat and again, PPP would defeat them winning two third majority from Sindh.
"Those Sindhi nationalists who used to criticise MQM and PML N have now joined the anti-PPP alliance too. It has been difficult for them to win even the UC election, so how can they defeat the PPP in the province," Ghani said.
The upcoming polls in Sindh promise a riveting political spectacle, with the PPP fighting to retain its stronghold against a determined opposition seeking to capitalise on perceived weaknesses. Whether the PPP's established network and strategic alliances will withstand the challenge or if the GDA-led coalition can usher in a new era of governance, remains to be seen.
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