Dynastic politics? JUI-F chief training son to take charge

Asad Mehmood is set to become the face of the party

PESHAWAR: Exactly the way leaders of other parties are preparing their offspring to take charge of affairs after them, Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman is preparing ground to make his son Maulana Asad Mehmood the face of the party.

A party insider told The Express Tribune Mehmood has been active in politics for the last three years. “He is not allowed to interfere in party matters but does attend meetings and gatherings with his father,” he said. “He is also part of the party’s Majlis-e-Shura.”

Political presence

Not only is Mehmood taking interest in party affairs, he also contested the NA-25 by-election, after the constituency was left vacant by his father who won in all the three constituencies he contested in the 2013 general elections.

Mehmood lost the elections to Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf’s Dawar Khan Kundi. However, the defeat did not keep him away from politics. “He takes interest in party meetings and is preparing to contest the next general elections from the same constituency where he lost,” added the insider.

Although Mehmood does not have the authority to influence party decisions, some senior leaders are displeased by his presence.

Hereditary politics

A senior party leader, expressing displeasure over Mehmood’s presence, said his introduction might narrow the chances for new people to come to the fore. Moreover, Mehmood and his uncle Maulana Lutfur Rehman, who is the opposition leader in the Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Assembly, developed differences over local government elections in Tank. Both supported their own groups during the polls.

Right or wrong

Political analyst Zafarullah Khan said such tactics discourage able, ideological political workers from joining the party. He said intra-party elections are organised by the JUI-F after every four years for all positions except the chairmanship. “If new people are not given the chance, splinter groups emerge and weaken the party,” he added, citing the example of Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Sami.

When contacted, party leader Maulana Abdul Jalil Jan said JUI-F does not believe in dynastic politics. “Everyone has the right to join politics and move up the ranks.”

He said, “Mehmood is an intelligent man who can lead from the front,” said Jalil. “Just because he is the son of the party chief doesn’t mean he has lost the right to participate in politics; we should encourage him.”

Published in The Express Tribune, August 9^th, 2015.