GUJRAT: A major breakthrough is likely in the politics of Gujrat as some strong groups in the PML-N belonging to Kharian tehsil may join the PML-Q in the near future.

Sources in both parties told Dawn the Kulewal group that had once been a strong ally of the Chaudhrys of Gujrat had defected to the PML-N around three years ago. But the party did not accommodate them and refused the NA-106 ticket to group leader Syed Noorul Hasan Shah in the last general elections.

The Kulewal group had traditional rivals of the Kairas of the PPP since 1985. Noor Shah remained chairman of the Lalamusa municipal committee besides serving as naib district nazim in 2001, while his elder brother, late Syed Manzoor Husain Shah, had been elected MNA thrice against the Kairas.

The group had not been in touch with the PML-N leadership since refusal of the ticket. Shah’s close aides had reportedly been pressing him for the last few months to join hands with their old allies.

Sources told Dawn the relations between the Chaudhrys of the PML-Q and the Kulewal group had been eased and both developed some understanding on future politics. Former federal minister and senior PML-Q leader Chaudhry Wajahat Husain paid a visit to the residence of Noor Shah in Kulewal last week.

The sources said Wajahat paid the visit to offer condolence over the death of the latter’s sister, but his visit had been part of a plan to ease tension between the two sides before making any formal decision.

The Chaudhrys had been deprived of strong allies in Kharian tehsil when the Kulewal group, including MPA Mian Tariq, former MPA Liaquat Bhadar and former caretaker chief minister Mian Afzal Hayat, had left them during the last two to three years.

However, the two groups in their home district were always considered natural allies in local government politics.

According to local political analysts, the Chaudhrys may get a silent support from these quarters in case of the LG polls anytime in future.

Reportedly, some other PML-N groups from across Gujrat are also in close contact with the Chaudhrys in reaction to the ‘cold shoulder’ they have got from the party leadership.

All this manoeuvring in local politics can pose a big threat to the PML-N as there is a chance the PML-Q can stage a strong comeback first in its home district than in other parts of the province due to the alleged infighting in the PML-N.

The ruling party’s legislators are said to be fielding separate panels in union councils and wards against each other for the upcoming LG polls not only in Gujrat district but also in neighbouring districts such as Mandi Bahauddin and Jhelum.