‘Headless’ PPP sending mixed signals

After taking a huge hit in the 2013 elections, the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) seems to be mired in a state of flux.

Confusing matters is the mixed signals the party has been sending over the last few months: With former president Asif Ali Zardari having redefined the word diplomacy as co-chairman, his son and heir apparent, Bilawal Bhutto Zardari who is supposed to be the new chief of the party, has been highly confrontational – with political rivals and extremist elements alike.

It is unclear which position reflects the overall line of the party, or which one’s statements are determining the PPP’s policy in important political matters.

During his stint as co-chairman and president of Pakistan, Zardari had become famous for averting impending disaster by way of negotiation and compromise – a strategy neatly bundled under the one-word head of ‘reconciliation.’ When it did come, any sort of aggression by the former president was always measured, timed and was subtle. His references to Mian Nawaz Sharif were always covered in allusions.

Bilawal, on the other hand, has not shied away from firing salvos at one and all – which was most recently on display during his speech at Garhi Khuda Bux on the occasion of his mother’s death anniversary. He has coined derogatory political names such as ‘Buzdil Khan’ for Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf Chairman Imran Khan, and has regularly poked fun at the PML-N for being ‘scared tigers.’ While the good-cop bad-cop routine may be one explanation, the fact is that the party’s internal structure is in disarray. Hence such a strategy makes matters more confounding for PPP supporters. Should they be donning their battle gear behind the war cries of Bilawal, or showing restraint and patience behind Zardari? This is particularly important given that local government elections are around the corner.

If ‘reconciliation’ is the path that the PPP is taking, which is what is apparent in its dealings with the ruling Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N), then what does one make of the diatribes of Bilawal. Doesn’t this strategy serve to devalue his anger and fury in the long run and diminish the public stature of the man who is to take the reins of the party?

The expression headless is not only in place figuratively, but literally too.

Currently, the PPP legally and technically has no chief – with the position of both Chairperson and co-Chairperson lying vacant. There is no vice-chairperson either. Most of the PPP’s senior leadership, in terms of stature, not party position holders, is not even a part of Parliament.

After the assassination of Benazir Bhutto, PPP had elected Bilawal as its chairperson and Asif Ali Zardari as its co-chairman, but since Bilawal was underage and as per the Police Parties Order 2002, he could not contest the elections and lead the party. Therefore, he surrendered his position and the party made him the PPP’s Patron-in-Chief – which is only a ceremonial post. Then president Asif Ali Zardari also quit his post as co-chairman of the PPP because of dual office case against him in the Lahore High Court.  Since then both the slots (Chairperson and co-chairman) are lying vacant.

Talking to The Express Tribune, PPP Secretary-General Latif Khosa said that the party had started internal consultations to fill in the vacant positions, but it would be done only after the upcoming local government elections. “Bilawal will be chairperson of our party, there is no other option as everyone has evolved consensus on his name, but we are waiting for the suitable time for this decision,” he said adding that other positions will be filled after the local government elections.

In the meantime, it’s anyone’s guess as to where the PPP is heading. And why.