JI changing recipe for success

Sanaullah predicts further rifts in party politics

PESHAWAR: Incentives and perks that come along with a race for high-ranking offices and power politics has attracted even the most conservative Jamaat-e-Islami (JI) policy makers who seem to have abandoned their previously valued ideology.

JI was undoubtedly a well-organised and disciplined political force in the country. However, following defeat in the by-elections for K-P Assembly seat in its strong-hold Upper Dir, JI leaders seem to lean towards a new recipe for success. It is becoming inevitable that JI leaders have chosen the politics of perks and privileges over their previously held ideology.

This new belief seems to have worked in JI’s favour as the party managed to enhance its position from fifth place to second in the final phase of local government elections.

Gaining seats

In the first phase of local government elections, JI secured the highest number of district and tehsil seats in parts of Dir. However, in the second and final phases, JI established its influence and existence in almost the entire province.

As an ally of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf-led coalition, JI backed candidates in Charsadda and several other districts. However, at the same time, it also entered into alliances with opposition parties in Buner, Swat, Mardan, Shangla, Swabi and others districts. This move either cut down PTI’s majority or outclassed its candidates in the race for attractive, high-ranking slots of district and tehsil nazims and naib nazims.

Losing ideological ground?

JI leaders have inducted independently elected councillors in several districts and tehsils which will have a deleterious impact on JI’s overarching policies. Even where an independent councillor was successful in securing the office of tehsil nazim in Swabi, he was more interested in reaching the top office rather than strengthening the policies of JI.

Although the JI leaders celebrated the unexpected victory in local government elections, it was short-lived as the jubilant mood died down soon after JI’s defeat in Upper Dir parliamentary polls.

Newly elected MPA from Upper Dir, Sahibzada Sanaullah, who boasts he defeated the JI candidate in Upper Dir said, “JI will suffer more since its leadership has given up ideological politics.” He added JI leaders were not only preferring family politics but also giving preference to wealthy candidates instead of diehard, loyal and ideological activists.

Earlier, JI had eight MPAs but the strength has now decreased to six. One seat was lost to Sanaullah while the other was vacated by Sirajul Haq. By-polls in Lower Dir have a stay order after it emerged that women had not been allowed to vote there.

K-P JI Information Secretary Advocate Israrullah told The Express Tribune the reasons behind JI’s defeat in the Upper Dir by-elections are being probed into. “The JI candidate has secured about four to five thousands extra votes compared to 2013 results,” he said. “In fact almost all political forces have entered into an alliance against JI in Upper Dir by-polls.”

Israrullah said, “Without compromising on basic principles, JI needs to enhance its strength in the Parliament by awarding tickets to socio-politically influential and popular figures.”

Published in The Express Tribune, September 28^th, 2015.