Party’s popularity uncertain as leaders quit to join others. PHOTO: FILE
The ruling Awami National Party’s (ANP) footing seems to be on shaky ground in Charsadda, which was once its stronghold, despite tall claims of completing a number of developmental projects.
K-P Chief Minister Amir Haider Hoti earlier said the provincial government has spent Rs10 billion on various mega schemes in the district, including establishing Bacha Khan University which created jobs for locals.
Other ANP leaders also claimed the party rendered sacrifices in the war on terror, and steps taken for the welfare of the people will get them through to the power corridors again.
In the last elections contested by ANP in 2008, its leaders won one national and four provincial assembly seats from Charsadda, while one NA and two provincial slots were bagged by Qaumi Watan Party (QWP).
Currently, one of these four MPAs, Abdul Shakoor Khan has resigned from the party and is expected to join Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam (JUI-F). He may contest for a provincial seat from the PK-17 constituency, or from NA-7 against ANP chief Asfandyar Wali Khan.
Similarly, in PK-20 another ANP MPA, Taimoor Khan, has not filed an application for a party ticket. Political pundits speculate Taimoor, the son of feudal lord and former MPA Dawood Khan of Tangi, may also part ways with ANP.
In another fresh development, Nowshera district and sessions judge on Friday turned down the bail plea of ANP leader and former provincial minster Bashir Khan Umerzai, who is nominated as one of the suspects in the murder case of Alamzeb Umerzai.
Bashir is said to be ANP’s next NA candidate from NA-8 constituency against QWP chief Aftab Sherpao, but if the case is not decided on time, ANP will be in dire straits.
Meanwhile, Sherpao also faces challenges in NA-8. He is trying to form an alliance with the JUI-F and Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz or with Jamaat-e-Islami to retain his national assembly seat and his son Sikandar Sherpao’s provincial assembly seat.
A source claimed he is extending all out support to other parties for this purpose, saying Sherpao is preparing to contest from both NA-8 and PK-20, while his son will contest from PK-21.
ANP General Secretary Arbab Tahir told The Express Tribune all those who were quitting the party were not part of it in the past. “It was ANP who gave them recognition in the parliamentary history of K-P,” he said, adding that his party has received applications for 99 constituencies across the province.
He added leaders who were leaving for other parties were doing so for their personal interests and their loss would have no negative implications on ANP.
The secretary maintained they were holding talks with all political parties for seat adjustments according to party rules.
Published in The Express Tribune, March 3rd, 2013.
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