Surprise and suspense: Alliances in Charsadda hang in the balance

Independent candidates remain the deciding factor in victory or defeat

SHABQADAR:

Political parties in Charsadda have become active once again, but this time to woo candidates so they tilt the scales in their favour in the district.

The race is between the alliance of Awami National Party and Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl, and Qaumi Watan Party, Jamaat-e-Islami and Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf; both are hanging in the balance, waiting to be joined by an independent to decide their victory or defeat in the district’s local government.

The alliance of ANP and JUI-F has now bagged 23 out of 48 seats as two independent candidates, Abdur Rehman Khan and Ajmal Khan, joined ANP at a press conference held at the party’s district office in Charsadda on Sunday. ANP provincial general secretary Aimal Wali was also present. An independent, Hidayat Khan, who was supported by JUI-F during the polls, is likely to join the alliance and will take their total to 24.

At the moment, QWP, PTI and JI together have 23 seats and if an independent joins them, both alliances will have a tie with 24 seats each.

With independents inevitably proving to be the deciding factor in these local government polls, one more non-party elect will be required to join either of the sides to decide who will form a government in the district.

And so, the QWP has left no stone unturned; it is also attempting to revive its ties with JUI-F as some leaders of both have strong existing relations. Some JUI-F leaders are ready to support QWP but JUI-F’s Maulana Hashim Khan, without beating about the bush, pledged to stand by his allegiance to ANP. He said he would not let the alliance fall apart in the district, even if it fails to form a government there.

Shabqadar

In Shabqadar, PTI is optimistic about forming a tehsil government – only if an independent joins the party, PTI Shabqadar president and newly-elected tehsil councillor Ghafarullah Sheikh told The Express Tribune. Currently, PTI has five out of 12 tehsil seats in Shabqadar. The party is also expecting a victory if JI joins hands with it.

At present, PTI has not promised its allegiance to JI in the district or tehsils. However, this goes against the statement issued by JI Charsadda chapter on Friday in which the party’s press secretary Haroon Khan said JI will form an alliance with PTI and QWP. Both these parties denied any such decision has been taken but confirmed a meeting took place between the three.

Published in The Express Tribune, June 8^th, 2015.