PPP faces factionalism in Bahawalpur over ticket distribution

Discord within the PPP ranks in Bahawalpur has led to an emergency press conference called by district party president Shah Rukh Malik.

Despite the presence of PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari in Bahawalpur, panaflexes and hoardings were conspicuously absent from prominent locations in the city, and no substantial public relations campaign was initiated to ensure the success of the rally.

The result was a lacklustre PPP rally at the Hockey Ground Stadium in Bahawalpur, with a significant number of people opting not to participate.

On Bilawal Bhutto’s arrival in Bahawalpur, the party's district leadership became embroiled in factionalism over ticket distribution, reaching a point where District President Shah Rukh Malik felt compelled to announce an emergency press conference to address the alleged discontent.

Sources reveal that Malik expressed dissatisfaction over the denial of a ticket to Murtaza Shah. Simultaneously, the People's Party planned a grand rally at the Dring Stadium, after 16 years, with Party Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari in attendance. However, internal discord among the district leadership and party members hindered adequate preparations for the gathering. Notably, there was a lack of panaflexes, steamers, and hoardings at prominent locations, and no visible efforts were made to ensure the rally's success.

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Sources said the local party leaders aimed to gather a crowd of 10,000 to 12,000. Plans were made for MNA candidate Hussain Ahmad Madni, MPA candidate Syed Tahirul Hasan (Pappu), and Malik Majid Chanar to bring in 6,000 to 7,000 attendees.

Despite booking around 70 wagons and 100 rickshaws, they failed to attract more than a thousand people. Additionally, leaders like Ali Hasan Gilani, Shah Rukh Malik, and Makhdoom Naseem Shah Bukhari fell short of achieving their set goals in mobilizing supporters.

When the expected numbers did not materialize, an alternative plan was devised to send around 2,000 workers from Ashraf Sugar Mills to the hall. Political analysts suggest that due to the insufficient turnout, Asif Ali Zardari and Yusuf Raza Gilani canceled their visit.

Examining the PPP's election campaign in Bahawalpur city, public dissatisfaction and a lack of acceptance become apparent.

Party workers express concerns that the party, once championed by workers and common people, has been taken over by elites and capitalists in Bahawalpur, leading to disillusionment among genuine party workers and political activists.

There are apprehensions that if the current situation persists, the PPP might struggle to field a candidate in Bahawalpur district in the upcoming elections.

Published in The Express Tribune, January 15^th, 2024.