PPP infighting: Mirza, Wassan supporters clash in Badin

Both sides resorted to aerial firing as police intervened.

HYDERABAD: Making nascent signs of growing fissures within the ruling Pakistan Peoples Party’s Sindh chapter more manifest, supporters of former Sindh home minister Zulfiqar Mirza exchanged barbs with those of current Home Minister Manzoor Wassan in Badin on Sunday.

However, police contingents intervened and prevented the brawl from turning into an armed clash as people of both sides resorted to aerial firing.

The incident happened a day after President Asif Ali Zardari, who is also co-chairman of the PPP, categorically warned of stern action against ‘undisciplined’ party workers and leaders.

The tussle took place in Shaheed Fazil Rahu (Golarchi) town of Badin when supporters of Wassan, led by Allah Dino Chandio, organised a rally and were confronted by Mirza’s sympathisers. Mirza, who immediately reached the spot to assuage the heated situation, took verbal jibes at Wassan himself.

“Manzoor Wassan and some others are jealous of my popularity in Sindh,” he told reporters, declaring that he will, in retaliation, hold public meetings within Wassan’s constituency too.

Mirza said that such ‘shoddy intrigues’ cannot stop him from speaking the truth and from fighting for the right of the oppressed people. “I am fighting a war to save Sindh and Pakistan and will keep unmasking conspiracies,” he said.

He, however, dispelled the impression that a forward bloc had been created in Sindh when asked to explain the pitched battle between his and Wassan’s supporters. “I am still a worker of the PPP and all my efforts are for strengthening the party,” he said.

Published in The Express Tribune, November 14^th,  2011.