Infighting in ruling party leaves contestants to run independent

PML-N has apparently barred some members from using its election symbols

ISLAMABAD: As the capital braces for its first ever local bodies elections, Islamabad has not only becomes an electoral battlefield for a number of political parties and independent candidates, but has even sparked differences within parties.

Sources in the Pakistan Muslin League-Nawaz revealed that the party is divided into two groups and will be contesting elections against each other in the upcoming LG polls.

They further revealed that the party leaders are negotiating with both the groups and trying to resolve their differences. One of the suggestions included uniting both groups and dividing the union councils between them.

It was suggested that one group be given the chairmanship along with three general council seats and one reserved seat each for women and youth, while someone from the other group should be made vice-chairman and be given three general council seats apart from a seat each reserved for women, labours and non-Muslims. Both groups have apparently rejected the idea.

Following this, the party leaders decided not to issue party tickets to either group and have barred the contestants from using it as their election symbol. Members of both the groups will now contest the local body elections as independents.

Both the groups are now actively engaged in electioneering. Speaking to Daily Express, contestant Adil Gillani said that the party leaders have not yet reached a final decision on allowing either of the groups to use party flags or election symbols, but despite that, the groups have initiated campaigning.

“The main purpose of the local bodies election is to empower people at lower levels so that they can resolve issues close to the people,” he said. Elaborating on his group’s plans, Gillani said that if they win the elections, they will make Bari Imam a model village, and will also ensure basic facilities such as gas supply for Muslim Colony.

“They is no hospital or clinic in Bari Imam. We will ensure that a dispensary is immediately established in the area,” he added.

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