NAWABSHAH, Sept 29: The election campaigns have geared up here as the political parties, particularly the PPP, SDA, MQM, PML-N and PML-Q, are competing in affixing banners and holding corner meetings in different areas of Nawabshah district.

From NA-213 (Nawabshah-I), Dr Azra Pechuho (People’s Party Parliamentarians), sister of Asif Ali Zardari; Syed Zahid Hussain Shah, (Pakistan Muslim League-Q); Ghulam Haider Rahu (Muttahida Qaumi Movement); and Sardar Ahmed Arain (PML-N) are the major contestants.

A tough contest between Dr Azra and Zahid Shah is expected in this constituency, comprising Nawabshah taluka.

Zahid Shah has reportedly struck a deal with the Muttahida Majlis-i-Amal on this seat. He is also seeking withdrawal of the MQM candidate. However, observers believe that the MQM would not withdraw his candidate as the number of vote cast for him would help the party in winning the women’s seats.

On the other hand, the PPP is trying to get back its angry activists and supporters and has been successful in winning over a group of the Brohi community as well as some influential people like Dr Inayat Rind and Sardar Sher Mohammad Rind.

From NA-214 (Nawabshah-II), Syed Ghulam Mustafa Shah (PPP), Mumtaz Ahmed Rahu (PML-Q) and Shahnawaz Lakhmir (MQM) are the main contestants.

Ghulam Mustafa enjoys a very good influence in this constituency, comprising of Sakrand and Doulatpur talukas, and seems to be in a better position.

Mumtaz Rahu is a new face for the people. However, the Rahu community has a good number of votes in Sakrand taluka and the Dahris from Daulatpur taluka are also supporting the PML (Q) candidate.

A lively contest is expected between Rao Abdul Sami (MQM) and Chaudhry Tariq Masood Arain (PPP) on PS-24. Syed Sajjad Shah (PML-N) and Anwarul Haq (MMA) are also contesting on this seat.

This seat covers Nawabshah city which is considered to be the MQM stronghold. The PPP candidate is concentrating on the rural areas.

Another tough contest is expected between Ali Nawaz Brohi (SDA) and Ahmed Ali Jalbani (PPP) on PS-25.

The Brohis have a very good influence in this constituency.

The position of Brohi seemed to be much better on this seat earlier but after the announcement of support to the PPP by Ahsan Brohi, a leading man of the Brohi tribe, a tough contest is expected between the SDA and PPP candidates.

On PS-26, position of Syed Ali Ahmed Shah (PPP) is better than that of his rival, Dr Bahadur Khan Dahri (SDA).

This seat was created after the latest delimitations and it includes some areas of PS-25, PS-27 and PS-28, which has benefited the PPP as the areas included are under its influence.

On PS-27, a tough competition is expected between Ghulam Qadir Chandio (PPP) and Abdul Hafiz Unnar (PML-Q).

Unnar is a new face but the candidates from his community had won this seat twice.

The position of Chandio was better earlier but after the differences arose on the party ticket for this seat, he is working hard to win over the Jamalis and Kerios.

On PS-28, a neck and neck contest is expected between Dr Bahadur Khan Dahri (SDA) and Jam Tamachi Unnar (PPP).

The Dahris have a good influence in this constituency and had won the seat twice but the new delimitation has benefited Tamachi as some areas, where the PPP has a good following, have been included in his constituency.

The local observers believe that the PPP would win both of the two national assembly seats and two to three provincial seats, the SDA would get two provincial seats and the MQM would grab one PS seat.