PML-Q’s Chaudhry Pervaiz Elahi (NA-105 Gujrat)
The political romance between the Pakistan Peoples Party and Pakistan Muslim League-Quad appears to have ended before blossoming.
The unannounced electoral alliance – or seat-to-seat adjustment – between them broke apart on Monday when both parties fielded candidates in same constituencies in Punjab against each other.
Though the trust deficit between the two parties has existed for long, a recent development prompted the breakup. Chaudhry Pervaiz Elahi, the Punjab chapter president of PML-Q, plans to contest NA-105 Gujrat. However, PPP candidate Chaudhry Ahmad Mukhtar refused to withdraw in Elahi’s favour. This strained relations between them and led to the breakup.
On Monday, the PML-Q awarded 87 tickets for National Assembly constituencies across the country. Similarly, the party also finalised 137 candidates for provincial assembly constituencies of Punjab. The party will field candidates against all political groups.
Kamil Ali Agha, the central information secretary of PML-Q, confirmed on Monday that Elahi would run for NA-105.
On the other hand, the PPP also issued party tickets to dozens of candidates in Punjab. PPP’s Shaukat Mehmood Basra said the PML-Q has fielded Tariq Bashir Cheema in NA-191 (Bahawalnagar). He also confirmed that there would be no electoral alliance or seat-to-seat adjustment between the PPP and PML-Q.
The PML-Q had joined the PPP-led coalition government and later the two parties agreed to contest the 2013 election as an alliance. However, together the two parties could not put up a serious challenge to the PML-N in the 2012 by-elections in Punjab.
The PPP, then, suggested to its top leadership that an electoral alliance with the PML-Q will not benefit the party. Subsequently, the PPP Co-chairperson Asif Ali Zardari reportedly scrapped the plan.
Published in The Express Tribune, March 26th, 2013.
Correction: An earlier version of the story was running an incorrect picture of Tariq Bashir Cheema. The picture has been removed.
COMMENTS (7)
Comments are moderated and generally will be posted if they are on-topic and not abusive.
For more information, please see our Comments FAQ
People should vote for third party candidate like PTI. These old Bulls have been tested in the past. They have no value now. We need new blood in the parliment. The old crooks and loan defaulters have to go. This is just buying a car . Would you buy thirty yrs old car or a new model?
totally agree with waseem sahab pervaiz ilahi will comfortably win the seat as people have not even seen the face of mukhtar in these five years and i suspect q leaguers if they stay on their could win a hand full of seats in rural constituencies, specially in attock, a seat in chakwal, in hafizabad,gujrat,a seat in fsd,in bahawalpur,sheikhupura,2 seats in qasoor and one in sahiwal. but only if these candidates stay with them. thanks disagreements are welcomed
Correction please: this is Riaz hussain peerzada not tariq bashir cheema in photograph
The exclusive beneficiaries for this alliance would be Ch. Brothers only, if remain intact!! Well done ET, I appreciate moderator parameters….
Ahmed Mukhtar has done nothing in past 5 yr in Gujrat no way for him to win this time ... Pervez elahi is always best for NA105 . although i support PTI :D
"All good things must come to an end." So, it is said. This alliance or whatever was definitely not natural but an expedience for ultimate personal benefits, like getting Moonis Elahi out of the goo. With Musharraf in town and peoples sentiments increasing and leaning towards him, the writing will soon be on the wall. Salams
It was always going to happen. BTW how did PML Q got 87 NA candidates? Anyway can't see Ahmad Mukhtar winning NA 105 this time out.Pervaiz Elahi should win that seat without any trouble and there isn't any noteable PTI or PML N candiates to give him competetion anyway.