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| August 12, 2005 | Friday | Rajab 6, 1426 |
Big names desperate
VEHARI, Aug 11: Electioneering has picked up for the first phase of the local elections due on 18th when voters in this district will elect 89 nazims, as many naib nazims and over 900 councillors.
Biradrism, which has long been dominating the local politics, will be the deciding factor once again. The influential biradris are Khichis, Syeds, Gujjars, Arains, Jats, Rajputs, Khakwanis, Langrials and Pathans.
The main political parties, including PPP, PML-N and the ruling League, are reportedly facing differences in their ranks as old rivals have become new allies and vice versa.
The political groups, which were not even being considered to join hands, have formed alliances by setting aside their party line and this situation has changed political scenario in the district.
In Vehari tehsil consisting of 26 union councils, PML-N leader Tehmina Daultana has reportedly ironed out her differences with MPA Tahir Iqbal Chaudhry and fielded joint candidates in a majority of the UCs. Last year, two giants — Tehmina Daultana and Shahida Daultana — had decided to end their differences, but their alliance could not last long and now their candidates are contesting against each other in Luddan town.
Candidates backed by Railways State Minister Ishaq Khakwani are also in the run while ex-MNA Akbar Ali Bhatti and ex-MPA Chaudhry Nazar Dugal are contesting elections for their survival.
Comprising 32 UCs, the Burewala tehsil has three main groups. The Nasim Mehdi group is headed by ex-federal minister Syed Nasim Mehdi and Chohan group by ex-MNA Qurban Ali Chohan and MNA Chaudhry Nazeer Jat. PPP’s ex-provincial minister Mehmood Akhtar Ghuman and PML-N MPA Dr Nazeer Ahmed Dogar are leading the third group and supporting some opposition’s factions under the banner of ARD. The split in the ruling PML will ultimately benefit PPP.
So far as the MMA is concerned, its component parties have failed to field joint candidates.
The Mailsi tehsil, consisting of 31 UCs, has two strong groups. The Khichi group of ex-district nazim Mumtaz Khichi and Arain faction of ex-MPA Mian Mehfooz Arain have formed an electoral alliance some days back. It seems a surprising move as both the groups belong to the ruling PML. Despite the political alliance between the Khichis and the Arains, there are six groups of the ruling party — two each in three subdivisions of Mailsi, Vehari and Burewala. It is hoped that after the end of differences between the Khichis and Arains other groups will also unite, but no such development took place so far.
The Shahid Mehdi Nasim group, Khichi and Saqib groups are allies while factions led by Saeed Manais, Ishaq Khakwani and Qurban Chohan are ‘like-minded.’
Political pundits say that these groups will contest polls independently and thereafter come to the negotiation table to grab maximum share in the nazim and naib nazim elections. But some political circles believe that this development will divide the ruling party’s vote bank.
On the other hand, Punjab Assembly ex-speaker Saeed Ahmed Manais of Tibba Sultanpur is facing a tough situation as he is facing Toochi Khan of Pathan group and Mumtaz Khichi’s challenge simultaneously. In the past, he has been an ally of the Khichis and won elections. But this time his candidates will have to defeat the nominees of Khichis and Pathans. Some observers are of the view that if Mr Manais emerges victorious under this situation, he will become a political giant.
The MMA candidates are contesting election in various groups and political circles believe that they can secure a few seats.
SECURITY: All arrangements for peaceful elections have been completed by the Multan range police, this was stated by Multan Range Malik Iqbal while talking to newsmen here on Thursday.
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