QUETTA: Balochistan National Party-Mengal (BNP-M) chief Sardar Akhtar Mengal on Friday regretted that his party was not taken on board while selecting the caretaker chief minister, saying that the parties which were in power for five years suddenly started playing the role of the opposition as well.

Speaking at a party gathering in Kalat, he said: “The BNP-M won’t allow anyone to steal our mandate as they did in 2013 elections. Those who were in government for five years attempted to occupy opposition benches as well.”

Lambasting the newly formed Balochis­tan Awami Party (BAP), Sardar Mengal said: “I am glad the political orphans has found their father in the face of BAP.”

Replying to a question regarding political betrayal he faced during his career, Mr Mengal said he had the bitter experience of trusting others for political alignment. “As per rules the government and opposition must take on board all parties while naming the caretaker CM, but we weren’t contacted by either side,” he said.

Meanwhile, a jirga was conducted by members of Mengal tribe in Wadh — headed by Sardar Mengal — to review the strategy to be adopted for the general elections.

Complains his party was left out from the process of the appointment of interim chief minister

Addressing the jirga, Sardar Mengal said that the BNP-M was going to contest the polls with full fervour, adding that their major aim was to provide relief to the downtrodden people of Balochistan.

“I want to assure the people of Balochistan that instead of ruling the people we are going to strive for their basic rights. Those who have trusted BNP, we won’t let them face more despondency,” he promised.

Published in Dawn, June 9th, 2018