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Coalition partners in the provincial government have put up a solo fight in Swabi for the local bodies’ elections even though the chief minister earlier tried to bring all three parties on the same page.
Leaders of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf, Jamaat-e-Islami and Awami Jamhoori Ittehad Pakistan are vying for a maximum number of seats at district and tehsil levels and have fielded candidates against each other.
Similarly, even opposition parties remain divided over the local government polls in the district. Only the tripartite alliance of Awami National Party, Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl and Pakistan Peoples Party has fielded candidates through consensus in maximum union and town councils. Meanwhile, Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz Swabi leaders have entered into an alliance with Qaumi Watan Party led by Aftab Ahmad Khan Sherpao.
Political tussle
AJIP leaders have failed to woo Babar Khan, who now heads Swabi Qaumi Mahaz (SQM). It is believed that Khan has made SQM the fourth component of the ‘tripartite’ alliance in Swabi. This new alliance has become a force to be reckoned with in Maneri and Salim Khan union councils of Swabi and is likely to give AJIP and PML-N a run for their money.
PTI leader and K-P Assembly Speaker Asad Qaiser is making an effort to ensure his party’s victory in the district. Meanwhile, Minister of Health Shahram Khan Tarakai also hopes to win a maximum number of seats for AJIP. Such tussles between two key figures in the provincial government could create setbacks for their respective parties.
A matter of influence
Historically, Swabi was considered the stronghold of ANP and PML-N.
However, with time, PML-N has lost its clout in the region due to its emphasis on “money politics”.
On the other hand, the ANP is still considered an influential force in the area.
This time around, the party has received widespread support from its detractors to rid the region of the PML-N’s “money politics”.
Elected lawmakers along with leaders from various political parties such as Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl MPA Maulana Attaul Haq Darwesh, Ashfaqullah Khan, Iftikhar Ahmad Khan, Amir Rahman and Sheheryar Khan are engaged in hectic efforts to win a maximum number of seats in local bodies’ elections.
However, ANP remains divided in Swabi, especially as its district president Haji Rahmanullah is unwell.
As a result, his son, Amir Rahman, who previously served as an MPA during the Muttahida Majlis-e-Amal government, may have to take on more responsibilities to quell any dissent.
Published in The Express Tribune, May 1st, 2015.
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