PHOTO: FILE
In a bid to make sure their candidates do not change loyalties after the elections, Pakistan Peoples Party has asked its members, contesting the elections on provincial and National Assembly seats, to tender in their ‘advanced resignations’. These resignations can be submitted on their behalf by the party in case of ‘disloyalty’ or ‘violation of party discipline’ to the speaker of the assemblies.
According to sources, all the nominees have given their undertaking to PPP chairperson, parliamentarian Makhdoom Amin Fahim, who can submit their resignation if need be. Members of the party told The Express Tribune that they have been told to follow the discipline of the PPP, otherwise strict action can be taken against them.
“If I am found disloyal to the party or involved in any activity against the party discipline, I will have no moral ground to be a member of the party and will tender my resignation,” states the undertaking.
Dr Sikandar Mandhro, a senior parliamentarian who is contesting the elections from Badin, told The Express Tribune that this practice was not new and even during Benazir Bhutto’s tenure, members submitted such an undertaking. “This is just formality. Legally, the undertaking has no weight because as per rules and procedure of the Sindh Assembly, the resignation of any member cannot be accepted unless he or she writes the application in front of the speaker, citing a valid reason for the resignation,” said Mandhro, adding that if a member changes his party, action cannot be taken against him on the basis of the undertaking. “The 18 Amendment gives party leaders power to take action against any member changing loyalty under the Political Parties Act,” he added.
Internal rift
Meanwhile, internal rifts between the PPP leaders on seat allotment in Kamber Shahdadkot has led the party to constitute a committee comprising PPP Sindh President Syed Qaim Ali Shah and former local bodies minister, Agha Siraj Durrani.
A meeting presided over by Faryal Talpur, sister of President Asif Ali Zardari, was reportedly held at Jillani House (residence of Qaim Ali Shah). The meeting was informed about the differences between PPP leader, Nadir Magsi, and nominee Sardar Chandio seat PS 42 in Kamber Shahdadkot. The party has allotted the ticket to Sardar Chandio, chief of Chandio tribe, but his rival Nadir Magsi has fielded an independent candidate, Sardar’s cousin Shahnawaz Chandio, on the same seat.
PPP allotted national assembly seat, NA 206, and provincial assembly seat, PS (40), to Magsi brothers, Amir Magsi and Nadir Magsi, in Kamber Shahdadkot district but the latter was disqualified over the issue of dual nationality.
The party has nominated Sardar Chandio, who was earlier affiliated with PML-Q, on PS 42 (Warrah) but is being publicly opposed by the Magsi group.
According to sources, the party leadership has directed Qaim Ali Shah to visit the area and resolve the matter as soon as possible. “My father used to contest the election on NA 206, the party ticket for which now has been allotted to Amir Magsi,” Sardar Chandio told The Express Tribune. “I initially objected but later accepted the party’s decision. They [Magsi] should also show the same spirit and support me in the elections.”
Published in The Express Tribune, April 17th, 2013.
COMMENTS (5)
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@SNJ: Am I bringing the shame to the party and Pakistan, the shame is brought by the rampant corruption in the party and by the party and this dynastic ways of the party. The party does not belong to Zardari, Bilawal or any other so called high echelon but to the people. The party was meant for the people but look around you what kind of people they had for the last 5 years , they have devastated the country economically and politically. I don't claim to support any party in Pakistan and I have never Expected or Recieved any favors from the party or BB when I was President PPP at the US level, this is on record , as a matter of fact I spent thousands from my own hard earned money on the party which was a futile exercise.
@Naeem Khan And this you realized now; changing loyalties because of tickets- What a shame you are bringing to party and Pakistan!!
i agree with the decision of PPP... shifting of loyalties is also a trend in Pakistani politics.. And giving party tickets to Sardars or tribal chiefs is no wrong... even if they wont give them the party tickets still these sardars and tribes are the determining factors that who will win or loose.. therefore I dont see any wrong in it... and lotacracy is the most common form of government in democratic culture of Pakistan
This is called blackmailing and what would they do if elected, if they do not perform according to the wishes of Zardari, then send their resignation letters to the speaker of the house. This dynastic party has become one family party and people of Pakistan should put them where they belong after they have looted the nation's treasury.Just look at their record for the last 5years, some of them should be in jail instead of NA or PAs. Wake up nation, you got one Chance for the next 5 years,bring in the change.