Stern warning: PPP to axe leaders going against party line

Bilawal addresses meeting via video link; says PPP leaders contesting against party nominees to lose membership.

KARACHI:

Pakistan Peoples Party patron-in chief Bilawal Bhutto Zardari has directed the provincial heads of his party to suspend the basic membership of PPP leaders who are contesting elections against the party’s nominees.

Bilawal was presiding over a meeting of PPP leaders from the four provinces via video link from an undisclosed location.

“Our party has nothing to do with people who, though they are contesting as independent candidates, are begging for votes in the name of Shaheed Benazir Bhutto and Zulfikar Ali Bhutto,” party sources quoted Bilawal as saying.

The meeting was informed that some PPP leaders who were earlier contesting as independent candidates have decided to withdraw in favour of PPP nominees, while a few of them still seem adamant.

Former irrigation minister Jam Saifullah Dharejo has surrendered his candidature and announced his support for the Mahar brothers, who are the PPP’s nominees in Ghotki district. However, Sardar Ali Ahmed Pitafi, a PPP ticket holder for PS 7 (Ghotki) has publicly announced his support for independent candidate Khalid Ahmed Lund.

Pitafi, who is chief of his tribe and district president of PPP, has started criticising the party decision to withdraw the seat from Lund and allot it to the Mahar brothers who earlier were affiliated with PML-Q.   It may be mentioned here that a couple of days ago Bilawal Bhutto and his aunt Faryal Talpur had expressed annoyance over the party leaders contesting polls against PPP candidates after they were denied tickets. Consequently, Bilawal had given a 24-hour ultimatum to them to withdraw their candidature; otherwise he would take action.

Where is Bilawal Bhutto Zardari?

Party sources said that all provincial heads of the party were present during the meeting, and they briefed Bilawal about the election. However, none of them were aware as to where Bilawal himself was addressing them from. Taj Haider, PPP General Secretary of Sindh chapter said, “Bilawal will lead the campaign of his party and address the gathering, but through video link given the security threats.”

When contacted, Bilawal House spokesman said, “He has addressed the party, but the event was not held in Bilawal House,” he said adding that their leader was in Karachi, but refused to give proper details.

Amin Fahim not sure about future

Makhdoom Amin Fahim, chairman PPP Parliamentarians has said he was not sure whether the PPP would be able to form the government after elections, but said his party would play an important rule in any future setup.

Addressing the media on Thursday at a local hotel he said that the organisation of the party has been affected after the death of Benazir Bhutto.

Moreover, Asif Ali Zardari was also not available to hold the reins of the party as he had now dissociated himself from politics because the constitution did not allow the president to participate in politics.

He went on to say that his party would take strict action against those people who violate party discipline by contesting against PPP candidates in the general elections.

He also said that people would not vote for “Pirs” “Mirs” or “Sector commanders”, but would vote on the basis of the performance of the elected representatives. He dispelled the impression that the election would be delayed or postponed.

Published in The Express Tribune, April 26^th, 2013.