Hotbed of politics: Badin constituency to be fiercely contested between Mirza Jr, PPP

Dr Zulfiqar Mirza's youngest son eyes constituency against PPP stalwart's cousin

KARACHI: The real competition for Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) in the second phase of the local bodies' elections is not in Mirpurkhas, Hyderabad, Thatta or Tharparkar, but in Badin where the family of Dr Zulfiqar Mirza stands against the ruling party, flanked by their local supporters and coalition partners.

The PPP has mustered all its prowess in Badin district to defeat Dr Mirza. Even the party chairperson, Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, visited the district on Tuesday to muster support for the party whose popularity graph has fallen considerably as Dr Mirza's has risen. The PPP's local leaders claim, however, that Badin is not Dr Mirza's hometown, but their party's stronghold and Bilawal's appearance will have a strong impact on the polls.

A small start

According to a local PPP leader, Dr Mirza came to Badin in the early 90s and used to live in Room No 102 of United Hotel. Slowly, he acquired agricultural land near Lauri Sharif around his sugar mills.

Dr Mirza contested the general elections of 1993 for the Member of National Assembly seat against Mir Murtaza Bhutto. It was the first time his family came into politics.

His wife, Dr Fehmida Mirza, who replaced him, has won the general elections from NA-225 four times. Their eldest son, Barrister Hasnain Mirza, replaced his father when he resigned from PS-57.

Dynasty politics

For the upcoming local bodies elections, scheduled for November 19 in Badin, the family has introduced Hassam Mirza, the youngest son. This will, however, be the first time they are contesting against the party that introduced them to Badin district and its political arena.

Hassam is just 23 and has recently graduated with a Bachelor's degree in business from London. He is contesting the elections against PPP's candidate and Sindh minister for parliamentary affairs, Dr Sikandar Ali Mandhro's cousin, Mohammad Juman Mandhro.

Interestingly, Dr Mirza's home and Dr Mandhro's native village is located in the same Union Council (UC), Fatehabad, from where Hassam is contesting the polls. One of the toughest competitions in the 68 UCs of the district will be in this area.

"I am certain that at least 70 per cent of the people of this constituency will vote for us," claimed MPA Hasnain. He fears that the provincial government will engage all of its machinery to defeat his brother.

According to Hasnain, candidates nominated by Dr Mirza will contest the elections against the PPP directly in 70 per cent of Badin district. Other coalition partners are also being supported on the rest of seats, he added.

Speaking about his family's contribution to development and other schemes, Hasnain claimed that the PPP leadership has never taken any interest in Badin, contrary to their claims of it being their stronghold.

"The PPP has two more years and we have shown the leadership's condition of our district," Hasnain said. "I am hoping the Sindh government will bring progress in Badin," he added.

Contradicting Hasnain's claims, MNA Kamal Chang who is also the district's party president said that it was the party that had initiated the development process in Badin, not the Mirza family.

"We don't feel there is any competition from Dr Mirza," said Chang, adding that the tough security measures were meant to ensure a peaceful environment. "He threatens to kill 100 men, not PPP leaders," he added. "We'll defeat him with votes, not with threats or weapons."

Published in The Express Tribune, November 18^th, 2015.