KARACHI, Oct 5: The scramble for power by a dominant group of the Sindh Democratic Alliance (SDA), led by former bureaucrat Imtiaz Shaikh and his decision to jump on the bandwagon of the ‘unified’ Pakistan Muslim League, has further sharpened the conflict between him and another contender for Sindh’s top slot, Dr Arbab Rahim.

The SDA, which was launched by the establishment prior to elections to split the mandate of the people of Sindh, has become the first casualty of merger politics, say analysts in the provincial capital.

The alliance was able to get eight candidates elected to the Sindh assembly and owing to a shaky coalition and the individual influence of some of its leaders, it was able to get three slots in the cabinet besides the deputy speakership of the assembly.

This was not a mean achievement for a two-year-old organization if compared to other parties with a standing of over two decades such as the PML-N, the PML-J, the PDP, and even some of the components the Muttahida Majlis-i-Amal.

However, the SDA leadership failed to sustain its idea of collective leadership as the three members of its steering committee, Mr Imtiaz Shaikh, Dr Arbab Rahim and Mr Murtaza Jatoi, were unable to rise above their personal agendas. They appeared to rely on behind-the-scene dealings with those who make or break regimes in Pakistan. Actually, differences had begun to surface even before the elections. Mr Imtiaz Shaikh was projected as the most likely choice of the establishment as the province’s chief minister. But he lost in the October election as the other contenders ganged up against him. His friend Sardar Salim Jan Mazari, who was elected as MNA and MPA simultaneously, vacated his provincial assembly seat and helped him get elected in the ensuing byelection.

After the October elections, Dr Arbab Rahim was a strong contender for the office of chief minister as he was also elected to both the National assembly and the Sindh assembly. In keeping with his desire for the CM’s slot, he preferred to give up his NA seat and keep the provincial seat. But Pir Pagara refused to back his candidature, and Sardar Ali Mohammad Mahar came out of the blue to lead the province.

At the moment, Mr Mahar apparently faces no threat because he continues to enjoy Pir Pagara’s backing and of powerful circles in the federal capital. Analysts, however, believe that merger politics may lead to changes in the province.

Within the SDA, Dr Arbab Rahim is said to have Arbab Zakaullah and Rajeev Singh on his side. Mr Imtiaz Shaikh has the support of Mr Irfanullah Khan Marwat, Ms Rahila Tiwana, Ms Afshan Imran and Mr Eshwar Lal, and he had their backing for the SDA’s merger with the PML.

Those close to Dr Arbab Rahim say he feels let down because of the manoeuvrings of the PML-Q’s central leadership. But many observers of Sindh’s political scene say he is unlikely to give up his claim to the chief ministership.