Mustering support: Despite threats, Hoti kicks off election campaign

Says the decision to award him two party tickets was ANP’s, not his.

MARDAN: Despite repeated threats by the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) and an attack on Awami National Party’s local leader in Bannu, former chief minister Amir Haider Khan Hoti initiated his election campaign by addressing a gathering in Mardan on Monday.

Addressing ANP activists at his residence, Hoti said despite being the target of militants, party leaders did not sit in their houses during the last four years. Instead, they served the people, he said, adding ANP leaders and activists have rendered a lot of sacrifices for peace in the region.

Talking about contesting elections for both provincial and national assembly seats, Hoti said awarding him tickets for PK-23 and NA-9 was the party’s decision, not his own. He said he was the candidate of choice because party workers trust him.

Lashing out at his opponent, former MNA Khwaja Muhammad Hoti, the ex-chief minister said “none of the political parties can redeem him (Khwaja) of his defeat.”

Hoti claimed Khwaja was jealous of him because of the many development projects initiated by the former in Mardan. “He (Khwaja) should name a single project he completed during his tenure.”

Hoti said only those candidates who work and serve people in their constituencies will win in the upcoming polls. “The ANP has completed numerous development projects in the region, and they (ANP candidates) will win in the elections.”

Published in The Express Tribune, April 2^nd, 2013.