Election 2013: As polls near, Shangla weighs its options

Internal conflicts continue to plague mainstream parties in the region.

SHANGLA:

As political activities gain momentum in the district, mainstream political parties remain dented with internal rifts.

With infighting in the Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F) and Awami National Party (ANP) over the distribution of tickets, several party workers have decided to contest the forthcoming elections independently.

Five of the JUI-F party workers have decided to try their luck and stand as independent candidates. For the NA-31 constituency, former senator and JUI-F district amir Maulana Rahat Hussain, District General Secretary Haji Azizur Rehman, Qari Mushtaq, Abdul Tawab, and Haji Abdul Muneem are among those who have opted out.

Similarly, for PK-88, the JUI-F earlier nominated Abdul Maula, but later decided to support Sher Alam. As a result, Maula decided to contest the elections from an independent platform.

On the other hand, ANP District General Secretary Mohammad Yar Khan quit the party after not being able to obtain a ticket and joined the JUI-F.

The ANP nominated Haji Said Fareen Khan, party district president, to contest for the PK-87 seat. The party has also nominated Said Farin Khan’s son, Haji Sadeedur Rehman, for the national constituency.

Constituencies

NA-31

The NA-31 constituency is considered to be Amirr Muqam’s stronghold. If politics in the region was fought on personality as opposed to party affiliation, Muqam would be the clear winner. This time however, Dr Ibadullah, Muqam’s brother and former district nazim, will contest the election from the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) platform.

Despite the fact that Muqam has consistently won this seat, the ANP, JUI-F and Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) also have a vote bank in the constituency. According to political observers in Shangla, a tough contest is expected between Dr Ibadullah and ANP’s Haji Sadeedur Rehman. Azizur Rehman, a JUI-F candidate, will also be contesting for the NA-31 seat.

Nominated from other parties:

PML-N:     Dr Ibadullah

ANP:          Haji Sadeed ur Rehman

JUI-F:       Azizur Rehman

PPP:           Engr Hamid Iqbal Khan

PK-88

Being a relative of Amir Muqam, it is strongly believed that Fazalullah, a former MPA, will be able to get a PML-N ticket for this constituency. If he is awarded a ticket, the PML-N’s victory here is not certain.

The public is unhappy with the former MPA’s performance and claim he did nothing for development in the area.

Tough completion is expected from Abdul Maula, an independent, and ANP’s Advocate Anwar Ali for PK-88.

Other nominees

ANP:                   Anwar Ali Advocate

PML-N:              Fazlullah Khan

JUI-F:                Sher Alam

PPP:                    Bakht Zaman Khan

Independent:      Abdul Maula

PK-87

Although presently considered a PML-N stronghold, the ANP also possesses a strong vote bank to clinch victory in the constituency. In the past, both the PML-N and Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) have won the seat. This time round, the PPP and Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) are both considered to be major parties in the constituency that can give their opponents a tough time in the upcoming polls.

But people in the constituency are not satisfied with the performance of the previously elected MPA, Mohammad Rashad Khan. Even if Khan is given a ticket, his victory is doubtful.

On the other hand, the region’s youth are hopeful to see the PTI victorious. Political analysts believe if PTI Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa General Secretary Shaukat Yousafzai contested from PK-87, his chances to win the seat would not be diminished.

Keeping in mind the area’s past record, the Qaumi Watan Party (QWP), JUI-F and Jamaat-e-Islami have little chance to win the PK-87 seat.

Candidates of other parties:

PML-N:    Mohammad Rashad Khan

ANP:         Haji Said Fareen

JUI-F:      Mohammad Yar Khan

QWP:        Motwakil Khan

Published in The Express Tribune, April 5^th, 2013.