PTI’s Imran Khan is as confident of PML-N’s ‘fall from power’. PHOTO: FILE
Days before the country’s highly anticipated general elections, the fight for Lahore’s NA-122 constituency entails a clash of the titans. Although the PML-N has won this seat by impressively comfortable margins in the previous two rounds, the N-fortress is not taking this May 11 lightly.
With PTI Chairman Imran Khan being the candidate gunning for the hot seat in this PML-N bastion, PML-N candidate and two-time winner on this seat, former minister Sardar Ayaz Sadiq is going all out to combat what he terms “a new challenge”.
Where the PTI’s proclamations of a tsunami and the subsequent support Imran has received are an omen that things could swing in his favour, the numbers speak volumes for Sadiq. He bagged 37,531 votes in 2002 – more than double of Imran’s meager 18,638 for the same seat – and 79,506 votes in 2008, an overwhelming 50,000 plus votes more than the PPP runner-up candidate Mian Umar Misbahul Rehman.
Interestingly enough, Sadiq is a former PTI member who used to be with the party till 1997, when he left due to differences with Imran. In pre-poll conversations with The Express Tribune, both candidates seem confident about their popularity in the constituency.
Constituency & Candidates
Area 50 square km
Constituent Areas
Railway Colony | Mughal Pura | Railway Phatak Baja Line | G.T.Road | Empress Road | Railway Nach Ghar | Garhi Shahu | Allama Iqbal Road | Mustafa Abad (Dharam Pura) | Main Mir Pind | Darbar Mian Mir | Shadman | Waris Road | Lawrance Garden | Ganga Ram Hospital | GOR-1 | Basti Syedan Shah | Upper Mall | Queen Marry College | Bibi Pak Daman | Ichra | Mohammad Pura | Shah Kamal | Rawan | Rehman Pura | Shiqa Abad | Pakki Thatti | Ferozpur Road | Rehman Pura | Sman Abad | Ganda Nala | Shah Jamal | Chauburji
“I feel sad for Ayaz Sadiq because he is going to suffer a crushing defeat this time,” says Imran. “This is not 2002. This time there will be a reverse, a bigger tsunami than even I had expected.” Despite the fact that Sadiq joined the N-League when the Sharifs were in exile, Imran feels Sadiq joined them because “that’s where the gravy train was”.
“He is someone who does not have a political ideology,” Imran says of Sadiq. What adds to his confidence is his popularity even though he has not yet campaigned in Lahore. He feels that the tide will turn in his favour when the aggressive campaigning begins in the final days before the elections.
“If the response in a feudal area like south Punjab has been so amazing, Lahore will be one of the biggest upsets in history. The PML-N will fall,” he says, explaining that this time the party is equipped with a bigger and better team.
Compared to Imran whose confidence knows no bounds, Ayaz Sadiq is demure. He lets the provincial government’s performance and the numbers from 2008 do the talking.
Results
2008
NA-258 (Karachi)
Sardar Ayaz Sadiq Baloch
Aurangzeb Shaafi Burki
2002
NA-258 (Karachi)
Sardar Ayaz Sadiq
Imran Khan
“The competition is good and we are taking it on,” says Sadiq.He cites the work done by the Punjab government in this tenure as the reason that NA-122 will remain the PML-N’s fortress. “Traders are openly saying they are comfortable with the PML-N. Because of the provision of solar home solutions, the laptop scheme, dengue and flood management and the new metro bus service, Sadiq feels voters will acknowledge the work done by the government in the last 18 months.“The youth is with us too. There are euphoric young men at our jalsas chanting PML-N slogans. They are yelling ‘Sher aaya! Sher aaya!’ in the places we are visiting.”
He feels that his victory at the ballot box will be one with a comfortable margin. In his opinion the PTI’s popularity peaked in October 2011 and now is in a slump. “We had 80,000 votes in the last elections and those people are not going anywhere. Add to that our performance… our five-year performance is exceptional,” says Sadiq.
In the last days, both camps are aggressively campaigning in areas from Garhi Shahu to GOR, where posters of both parties can be seen festooned on numerous walls and billboards.
Judging by statistics, Sadiq is looking at over 80,000 votes, whereas Imran Khan is starting in this constituency from scratch, hoping to take a piece of the PML-N’s pie.
Scheduled visits in this constituency by Nawaz Sharif and Imran Khan will be the gamechanger that can add to or take away from the other’s vote banks.
Published in The Express Tribune, May 4th, 2013.
COMMENTS (27)
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Insha'Allah I will vote for PTI because Imran Khan wants to do a lot for my country unlike PML - N and PPP who just want the power and the people's money. And PML - N is not a party of saints. They have tried to tarnish Imran Khan image for years but Allah grants respect and takes away respect.
My brother live in that constituency and he is PML(n) voter but if I were there I would have voted for PTI
Straight from NA122, votes of my entire family (7) are going to the PTI because before seeing more Metro buses, I would like to see the lights of my house on.
@Bilal: By plundering the nations wealth and making grand properties in London and France they have forefeited their right for any respect. I wish we can stand up and fight for what is ours!!
@Sher: Which stance did he change? Talking to Lashkar e Jhangvi for seat adjustments?? BTW.. Its not the questions of roads and bridges for Lahore..It may be difficult for you to imagine but do try to look at the bigger picture, there is Pakistan outside Lahore and actual people live and suffered during the 17 years of your beloved Sharif Bradran
Salam all of you, I am not suppoter of PTI neither PML-N, before casting vote we have to be sure that vote will not benifite PPP. If this happen then we will suffer all.
i am first time voter and my family is also first time voter. we all have decided to vote for Imran Khan. as a lahori i know that there are thousands from our collage are all voting for imran khan. my friends from NA-122 say that IK will win this seat easily.
I am a resident of NA 122. before voted for PML-N. well lahore has changed and trust me the people of NA-122 has changed. This time my all family, My Friends, My relatives and every one i know is voting for PTI. Imran khan has given us hope and we will vote for him from NA-122. Watch the news on May-11 at 0900am and the entre NA-122 will be parting with Imran Kha
I am a resident of NA 122 (and not a pti social media team member)... Majority people I meet in this constituency and across Lahore are in favour of PTI... I think Lahore will give a surprising upset to Nawaz league in the upcoming elections... That's my opinion based on my interactions with different segments of Lahorites.. Now all pml n supporters please do not take it negatively and start criticising my view point
Belong to this area, very easy to judge from home without ground reality. PML N is still strong hold in this area due to their work, People know who is their man!!!!
PTI social media team you can not win elections by commenting on the pots news by use diffrent names and commenting again and again. People are not dumb enough. They know the grond reality and you can not change the reality by posting too many comments by few persons with fake names on every post and abuseing. what will you do after 11 th ? Pakistan is voting For Mian Nwaz Shreef and this is the reality. your job is going to a end PTI social media team. find some new and better job whith some good ethical responsibilities.
I am a normal PTI supporter but Ayaz Sadiq would win my vote here. Why can't Imran Khan stop attacking the candidate personally? Why is he slinging mud on Mr. Sadiq? On the other hand Mr. Sadiq is talking about his manifesto and has made no comment on Imran Khan. This thing matters alot to me atleast/
I am from neighbouring constituency and voter of PPP but I admit that Imran Khan position is very strong in NA122. He deserves it too.
Those claiming who are voter of NA 122 are either lying or don't know the dynamics there. Imran khan has with him Aslam Iqbal on provincial seat. This man wins as independent candidate probably the only one in lahore who has so influence as independent, and this time Ahsan rasheed of PTI was made to sit in ending moment in favor of Aslam Iqbal. This seat is hot favourite for PTI!! Thos who know Aslam Iqbal will second me!
InshaaAllah Imran Khan.
IK's entire campaign is based on hatred and anger. This is what he has inspired in his followers. On the other hand PML N has the ability to do serious work.
I attended both IK jalsas in Lahore but it is now clear to me that his fight is not with status quo, he is only against PMLN. The language he uses makes me feel embarrassed that I ever liked this guy. His campaign's focus is more on "Why we should not vote PMLN" rather than "Why we should vote for PTI.". I've been aggressively following politics after attending his 30th October jalsa and I have no doubt that he has something personal with Sharif brothers. I will definitely not vote PTI. Sardar Ayaz Sadiq was his class fellow in Atchison and still a good friend. Even the language IK used in this article doesn't suit a leader. He should show some respect for his opponent. Haar jeet Allah k hath mein hai.
it is good to have mature politicians but the problem is they are most managers of status quo therefore we cannot expect any fundamental change in the lives of lower middle and middle class folks. Now these classes have revolted and want a change. PTI fits the bill.
I was also a PTI supporter but extreme anti-PMLN campaign really made me think twice about the agenda of PTI as i have seen the good governance of PMLN in last 5 years with my own eyes. I knew PMLN is not a perfect party but PMLN-phobia of Imran khan and his changing stances of different issues made me re-think. As someone mentioned also, PMLN has more mature politicians and experienced enough to take up the charge in these difficult times rather than a party whose only agenda is to criticize limitless only on one party which also performed the best in its every tenure as compared to other traditional parties. So inshallah i am now going to vote PMLN. In this constituency Ayaz sadiq is a very reputed person with good love and support among common people and has a very soft image. I think he will win this one.
I am a voter from NA-122 and I will vote for PML-N for their delivery and their work in Punjab. I once was thinking about voting PTI but IK's arrogance and his bashing and Sharif phobia turned me back to PML-N. They are more mature politicians than IK.
The key in this elections is turnout..just take an example of this constituency..generally the turnout in previous elections remain between 30 to 35 percent rarely going o 40 percent in some constituencies..if this goes up to 55 or 60 percent which by the atmosphere these days are very possible..every one will be surprised..as that vote will swing in favor of PTI,,in 2008 due to PTI and JI boycot PML N got more votes..I have no doubt in my mind that if people come out to vote other then the traditional voter..this will be a shock to every one..Inshalalh
Compared to last elections, around 35-40% of the votes were fake, which have been removed, and around 30-40% new voters have entered, which are mostly youth and first-time voters brought into the field generally by PTI.
So estimations based on last elections numbers provide a very wrong analysis. Tho, I must admit some areas would be more and and less effected by corrections in the voters list.
Hope someone's running some basic stats instead of providing superficial analysis.
PTI is winning from this area big time.
“If the response in a feudal area like south Punjab has been so amazing, Lahore will be one of the biggest upsets in history. The PML-N will fall,” I do wish he would make ppp and zardari fall instead of pmln.
Bus SHER!!!!