KARACHI: Scramble for power becomes intense: NEWS ANALYSIS
By Shamim-ur-Rahman
KARACHI, Nov 23: After the notification on extension of the date of the inaugural session of the Sindh Assembly, the scramble for power has become intense and many cross-currents are emerging while the abhorring floor-crossing law remains suspended to facilitate the cavalryman.
The major players, the People’s Party Parliamentarians and the Muttahida Qaumi Movement, have stepped up their efforts for reaching to the top.
The MQM’s deputy convener Dr Farooq Sattar said that his party was firm on its candidate for the top slot.
When his attention was drawn to the National Alliance’s (NA) aspirant Dr Arbab Rahim’s claim to the chiefministership, Dr Sattar said that everyone had the right to aspire for the top, but added that the MQM was not prepared to budge.
Sources close to Dr Rahim said that if he was not elected chief minister, there would be governor’s rule in the province.
On the other hand, the PPP is also trying its best to muster support, and at the same time is trying to foil attempt by the pro-government elements to prop up a forward bloc within the party.
Nisar Khuhro, the PPP Sindh President, had visited Pir Saheb Pagara to seek his support, but, according to sources, the latter remained firm on his candidate, Syed Muzaffar Husain Shah. Nevertheless, the sources said that PPP chairperson Benazir Bhutto was being kept informed.
The PPP is suffering because of the delay in the announcement of the parliamentary party leader and candidate for the top slot.
An Iftar party hosted by Hakim Ali Zardari on Saturday at his residence, in which Ghulam Mustafa Jatoi, head of the National Alliance, and some top PPP leaders were present, is being given importance in the backdrop of the ongoing negotiations.
Insiders said that Mr Zardari, apparently, put his weight behind Nisar Khuhro when he greeted Mr Jatoi, who too was seeking support for his candidate.
In view of Pir Saheb’s reservations on Dr Arbab Rahim’s candidature, together with some resentment shown by elements within the PML-Q, the NA and the MQM’s firmness, there is a remote possibility that he might be eased out before the oath-taking of the assembly members and sent to the National Assembly.
In that case the PPP might be able to form a coalition with the MMA and some elements of the NA. But that would depend on the attitude of the MMA which is not happy with the PPP’s role in the National Assembly. However, as foreign policy matters will not be involved in the province, the two parties, which have identical views on other issues, such as the LFO, constitutional amendments, Presidential election and supremacy of parliament, might come together in the Sindh Assembly. Sources said that a meeting of the two parties was expected tonight to discuss future strategy.
The PPP has also not lost hopes of an understanding with the Muttahida Qaumi Movement for the sake of stability in the province. Sources said that the two sides maintained that they had not closed the option.
Analysts were of the view that rigidity in the parties’ stand on their candidates for the top slot could be a bargain ploy and eventually they would agree to adjustments. Analysts, however, said that the parties, which voted for Mr Jamali, might still follow the same pattern, despite their claim of being anti-establishment.
Meanwhile, NA leader Ghulam Mustafa Jatoi told newsmen that as the NA did not have the requisite majority to form a government on its own, so it was continuing parleys with other parties, including the PPP.
Answering a question, he slammed horse-trading and termed it against democratic norms. He said that during Ziaul Haq’s period also he opposed “lotacracy.” He said that Mr Jamali would have a difficult task ahead due to the slim majority, thanks to the defectors.
