KARACHI: Electioneering comes to a grinding halt : PPP in leadership crisis
By Habib Khan Ghori
KARACHI, Dec 28: The electioneering for the Jan 8 elections that had just started picking up momentum in this metropolis has suffered a severe blow due to the assassination of PPP chairperson Benazir Bhutto with all the contesting parties announcing suspension of their campaigns during the three-day mourning, ending on Sunday.
The spontaneous reaction to the assassination has plunged the entire country into turmoil with widespread violence being reported from different parts of each province.
Political analysts are of the view that the authorities could consider postponing the elections for a few months to allow the situation to become conducive to a free, fair and transparent election in a peaceful manner. If such a decision is taken, this will not only help the Pakistan People’s Party to come out of the state of shock but also the other major parties to redraw their strategies in the changed political scenario. The PPP has declared 40-day mourning for its charismatic leader whereas the second major party, the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz, has announced a boycott as its reaction to the assassination.
Among the other mainstream political entities — the Jamaat-i-Islami, JUI-S, Pakistan Tehrik-i-Insaf and Jamiat Ulema-i-Pakistan — have already distanced themselves from the Jan election, citing ill-intentions of the pro-Musharraf caretaker set-up, mainly comprising those who had been supporting the controversial president’s moves against the judiciary and the media. They have also demanded an ‘independent and neutral election commission entrusted with the task of holding free and fair election.
Muttahida Qaumi Movement chief Altaf Hussain, whose party is fully prepared to take part in the election, also believes that the election may have to be postponed in the situation obtaining in the country. In his recent interview with a private TV channel, he hinted at the possibility of election to be delayed “by a month or so”.
Referring to the whole scenario and remarks by the JUI-F chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman that holding of elections on Jan 8 was no more possible, the analyst believe that the authorities might definitely consider the suggestion in a positive context. However, they say, any decision in this regard depended on the consent of the PPP, whose central leadership is likely to hold a crucial meeting after Benazir Bhutto’s Soyem.
PPP’s dilemma
It will not be easy for the PPP’s Central Executive Committee to choose a successor of Ms Bhutto enjoying as much acceptability and following as she did in the party cadre. It is widely believed that the committee will weigh the standing and eligibility of Makhdoom Ameen Fahim, Aitzaz Ahsan and Asif Ali Zardari for the top party slot.
According to the analysts, Makhdoom Ameen Fahim is the favourite of the Establishment which considers him too amenable person who can easily be prevailed upon. Perhaps for the same reason, he does not enjoy the requisite support as chairperson within his as party cadre.
Aitzaz Ahsan and Asif Zardari may face opposition from the former FIA chief, Rehman Malik, who has lately managed to clinch a strong position in the party’s decision-making body. The PPP’s decision not to boycott the Jan 8 elections is also attributed to lobbying by Mr Malik within the party.
Aitzaz Ahsan has emerged as a strong candidate owing to his leadership qualities that he demonstrated in the lawyers’ movement in a crisis situation. He remained in the limelight throughout the sustained movement with Gen Musharraf, having the entire government machinery and military power at his disposal, being the virtual leader of the rival camp.
