LAHORE: The appointment of former Punjab governor Makhdoom Ahmed Mahmood as PPP’s south Punjab president may curtail Manzoor Ahmed Wattoo’s influence in the party’s provincial affairs.

The new arrangement may set off a competition between the duo to perform well. Some in the party think that Mr Mahmood may become more influential in Punjab if he manages to deliver up to the expectations of the leadership in wooing stalwarts of other parties and consolidate the PPP in the south which was once its stronghold. In the 2013 elections, the PPP could manage to win just two National Assembly seats from Punjab and that were from the south.

Mr Wattoo, the central Punjab president, had control over party’s affairs in the entire province in the presence of ‘inactive’ Makhdoom Shahabuddin, the south Punjab president, for over two years.

Mr Shahabuddin resigned from the office of south Punjab president last Saturday citing health issues.

“Since Mr Mahmood is quite active in politics and is considered close to Mr Zardari and Mr Gilani, he will be independent in running the party affairs in the south besides having a say in the other districts of the province,” a senior PPP leader said, adding there would be a strong competition between Mahmood and Wattoo to strengthen the party in their respective domains.

Interestingly, neither Mr Wattoo nor Mr Mahmood are jialas. Mahmood was in PML-Functional before he quit it over two years ago to become governor.

“There has been a demand from the party workers in Punjab that a jiala should head them in the province but with the appointment of Mr Mahmood, the leadership seems to be compelled with political dispensations,” he commented.

Mr Mahmood is likely to reshuffle the party offices in the south. He will have to appoint a south Punjab secretary-general as there has been no full-time office-bearer after Amer Dogar’s joining of the Pakistan Tahreek-i-Insaf.

PPP South Punjab senior vice-president Haider Zaman Qureshi told Dawn that the party would be strengthened and restructured further on modern lines. “Mr Mahmood enjoys exceptional reputation in political circles and under his command in the south the party will perform better in future elections,” Mr Qureshi said.

Mr Mahmood on Monday called on Mr Wattoo and discussed matters pertaining to the party’s organization with a view to make it more vibrant.

Talking to reporters after the meeting, Wattoo appreciated the decision of the party leadership. “The appointment of Mr Mahmood will be instrumental in resurrecting the party.”

Published in Dawn, January 20th, 2015

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