RAWALPINDI, Aug 8: The various local factions of Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) came together as it geared up to face a divided Muslim League in the general elections.

The areas now constituting National Assembly NA-55 and NA- 56, formerly NA-38 remained the stronghold of the PML with ex-minister Sheikh Rashid returning successful for five consecutive elections.

However, division of the party in two factions and the uncertainty surrounding Sheikh Rashid’s future may cost the PML its supremacy in the area.

The PPP, on the other hand despite a united vote bank and divided opponents are still not in a very comfortable position.

The problems confronting the PPP, which may prevent it from making it to the NA from the city for the sixth time include lack of suitable candidates, the non-acceptance of merger by the central leadership and the expected inclination of the administration towards pro-government candidates.

Agha Riazul Islam is the only PPP candidate in the city, who will be contesting from NA-55. Political pundits believe, he suffers from a “defeat syndrome”, having lost in previous elections and losing the Tehsil Nazim elections last year.

While talking to this reporter, Agha Riaz expressed frustration over the failure of his political career, besides not being a graduate, had taken his exams and was awaiting results.

During party elections for city office-bearers, Agha Riaz improved on his prospects by managing a merger of the local factions. Babu Idrees, leader of the break-away group, claimed that he had worked for the merger for protecting party interests in the October elections.

Babu Idrees is contesting for the provincial assembly from the same area and is keen for a PPP ticket. “Yes I do naturally have some expectations from this merger,” he said.

Mr Idrees enjoyed little support from the high command and was at odds with leaders, who had deciding powers in awarding tickets. Therefore, his ticket is next to impossible.

His aides said this merger would end in case the party refused to give him a ticket for the PA seat. This would mean that the edge PPP has, was temporary and was a gesture from the breakaway faction, for the party leadership to resolve the outstanding issues.

Other prospective PPP candidate from other constituency was Sardar Shaukat Hayat, who is little known among the people. He is an advocate by profession and had been a bar association leader as well.

What favours Sardar Hayat is his Kashmiri background and they have a strong presence in NA-56. The Kashmiris are believed to vote en-bloc.

The PPP have been cautioned to look for good candidates to benefit from the situation. They have a bad track record in selection of candidates and it is believed that the party may lose the opportunity, if it continues to select nominees, who have little chance of winning.

The PPP had been changing candidates in this constituency in the past general elections. It started with Gen Tikka Khan in 1988 followed by Haji Mushtaq, Agha Riaz and Naheed Khan, who got the lowest number of votes.

On the other hand, Sheikh Rashid has already started a vigorous elections campaign in both the city constituencies. He claims to be a PML (N) candidate, though the party is yet to decide his fate.

Sheikh Rashid Ahmad said there were little chances of his ouster because PML (N) did not have any suitable candidate. It is believed that he is planning to go ahead as an independent candidate in case the decision goes against him.

Political observers expect Mr Rashid, though desirous of trying his luck in both constituencies, would settle for NA 55. His campaign has been focussed on cantonment areas now added to NA 55.

Sheikh Rashid Ahmad’s other major tool, are the local councillors and union council Nazimeen and has been manoeuvring them to consolidate his position. Candidates supported by him won in 13 of the 27 union councils, which forms the present NA-55.

However, his contingent of councillors may break in case the PML (N) decides to part ways with him, as some of them are hardcore party workers and have made it clear to him in the most unequivocal terms that they would follow the party decision.

Mr Ahmad is planning to use the Independence Day to show his strength. He regularly holds public gathering at his Lal Haveli on the eve of Independence Day. But this year the public gathering will be more significant as the former minister will try to show his strength in the constituency, not to his opponents but to his very own party.

He will be vying with the PML (N) who plans to hold a similar gathering at the Nia Mohalla Chowk.

In case the PML (N) ditches Mr Ahmad, then the party’s expected candidates will be ex-MPA Akhtar Mehmood, who is now the city party president. The party was earlier planning to field their central information secretary Siddiqul Farooq from this constitutency. They later dropped him because of the condition of being a graduate. Zafar Ali Shah would contest from NA 56.

Speaking on Mr Ahmad’s future, Raja Basharat of PML (Q) said we have always held him in great esteem and would love to have him as our candidate.

PML (Q), which has emerged as another force to reckon with is relying on the establishment support. Their expected candidates are president women’s wing Ms Nilofer Bakhtiar from NA 55 and Prof Masood Jafferi, member of central working committee. The PML(Q) much like PPP has not started its campaign seriously. Mr Basharat said the delay was because the party had yet to decide its tickets.

The only other force that can impact on the election results from the city was Muttahida Majlis-i Amal (MMA), whose central force was Jamaat-i-Islami.

The alliance leaders claimed that they were finalizing seat adjustments with PML (N), which has been decided in principle and now finer details need to be worked out. The MMA has finalized its candidate from NA 56, Dr Afzal Aizaz, ex-provincial minister.

If the MMA fails to reach an adjustment with the PML (N), then their candidate would be former MPA Hanif Chaudhry.

The alliance enjoys strong backing in NA 55. Some of the pockets, which are believed to be JI strongholds are Pir Wadhai, Dhoke Hassu, Dhoke Mangtal, Railway colony.

The MMA said they plan to make use of the mosque and pulpit to get across their point of view. In this regard instructions have been issued to the lower clerics to motivate the people to support the alliance.

Other parties like Tehrik-i-Insaf and Millat Party have yet not floated the names of their candidates.

Although, people from different parties have started planning their campaigns with less than 70 days to go for the polls, there is skepticism whether elections will be held or not.

A very high ranking government functionary when asked to comment, replied with a question: “Will the elections be held?”