NAUSHAHRO FEROZE, Sept 12: Besides some new faces, three former ministers, a former senator and an ex-ambassador are among the contenders for the two national and five Sindh assembly seats in Naushahro Feroze district.

For NA-212, former federal minister Ghulam Murtaza Jatoi (National Alliance), former minister and deputy speaker National Assembly, Zafar Ali Shah (PPP) and former minister Murad Ali Shah are the main candidates.

Ghulam Shabbir Lakho (MQM), Mir Mohammad Khoso (PPP-SB) and others are also contesting the election in this constituency.

According to sources, the Jatoi group is trying its best to convince Murad Ali Shah to withdraw in favour of Murtaza.

A tough contest between the two candidates is likely to happen. The MQM may succeed to get the third biggest number of votes.

Another development in the constituency is that seven councillors of the PPP-backed Awam Dost Penal — Ali Gohar Solangi, Jawaid Iqbal, his wife, Jameela Begum, Aman Khaskheli, Allah Warayo Mallah, Daim Chandio and Mole Dino Rajpar — have left their party and joined the Jatoi group.

For NA-211, a new face, Zulfiqar Ali Behan, grandson of former MNA, Rahmatullah Behan (PPP), is contesting against Dr Abdul Ghaffar Jatoi, former senator and brother of former caretaker prime minister Ghulam Mustafa Jatoi.

Ghulam Asghar Kalhoro (Muttahida Qaumi Movement) and some other candidates are also candidates for this seat.

For PS-19 (Naushahro Feroze-Mithiani), main contestants are Arif Mustafa Jatoi, a new face and son of Ghulam Mustafe Jatoi, and Qurban Behan, son of Behan.

As some of Jatoi’s close friends, who are landlords, live here and have influence in this area, therefore, the Jatois are hopeful about their victory.

For PS-20, Abdul Haq Bhurt (PPP) and Murad Ali Shah are the main candidates.

Shah had remained minister for nine times, which may prove a negative or positive point for him.

For PS-21, Sarfaraz Ali Shah (NA), former Nazim, Kandiaro union council, is contesting against former ambassador, Manzoor Ali Shah (PPP) whose position seems to be more stable.

For PS-22, two new faces, Dr Abdul Sattar Rajpar (PPP) and Noor Mohammad Shah, son of Syed Murad Ali Shah, (PML-Q) are in the field.

However, Noor Mohammad Shah appears to be stronger candidate than his rival one as the chief of the Rajpar community, Sardar Khalid Mian Rajpar, has recently left the PPP and joined the Jatoi group.

For PS-23 (Moro, Darya Khan Mari, New Jatoi) Murtaza and a new face, Riaz Ahmed Jamali (PPP) are the main contestants.

Murtaza has more influence in this constituency, which can be easily felt.

The observers believe that a seat of National Assembly and two seats of Sindh Assembly would go to the Jatois whereas another seat of NA and two seats of the Sindh Assembly would be grabbed by the PPP.