December 10, 2007	Monday	Ziqa'ad 29, 1428

KASUR, Dec 9: The major political parties — PML-N, PPP and PML-Q — face internal rifts though they have launched their election campaign.

The PML-N started electioneering by holding a public meeting on Saturday at the outhouse of Naeem Safdar Ansari on Shahbaz Khan Road. Aspirants Sheikh Waseem Ahmed for NA-139 and Naeem Safdar Ansari for PP-177 constituencies addressed the gathering of some 700 supporters, including powerloom workers.

Ironically, the discarded ticket applicants, including Saeed Ahmed Khan (for NA-139), Malik Bashir Ahmed (for PP-177), Amanullah Ansari advocate (for PP-177) and union council nazim Ayaz Khan, did not attend the meeting.

The fissure came to fore a few days back when the three disappointed candidates in a press briefing had warned the party’s central leadership that the wrong distribution of tickets could tarnish the party image in Kasur. They expressed their fear that the party would lose both NA-139 and PP-177 seats.

On Thursday, they also held a meeting at the residence of Khadim Kasuri which was attended by 50 activists. The speakers, including Yousaf Ali Shah and Tariq Mahmood Sial, condemned the party decision in relation to awarding of tickets to weak candidates.

PML-N’s Naeem Safdar Ansari, the ticket holder of PP-177, is on the horns of dilemma as his biradari vote has already been divided between him and his rival Haji Maqbool Sabir Ansari of the PML-Q, whose father Haji Ghulam Sabir Ansari has been elected MPA for the five consecutive terms.

MMA’s Hafiz Hanif Zafar Ansari, who is contesting for NA-139, may fetch a minor share of his biradari vote for his counterpart Muhammad Sarwar Khan of MMA for PP-177.

Differences between local PPP leaders over the distribution of tickets for PP-177 and NA-139 is an open secret and if misunderstanding between former MNA Chaudhry Manzoor Ahmed and former MPA Syed Muzzafar Hussain Kazmi is not removed results on both seats may not be desirable for the PPP.

Former foreign minister Khurshid Mahmood Kasuri, a candidate for NA-140 seat, is now in direct contest with another former foreign minister Sardar Assef Ahmed Ali of the PPP, and former provincial minister Sardar Hassan Akhtar Mokal (ind).

Mr Kasuri now largely depends upon the vote bank of Malik Muhammad Ahmed Khan while Hassan Mokal is awaiting final orders from former chief minister Pervaiz Elahi with regards to lending support to either Mr Kasuri or Mr Assef.

Political pundits are of the view that tough contests are expected on NA-139 and NA-140 constituencies and the candidates having a strong backup from PP aspirants will carry the day.