SHEIKHUPURA: The independent candidates in constituencies of Sheikhupura and Nankana Sahib districts have become a great challenge for the PTI and PML-N.

In NA-121, the former MNA PML-Q Khuram Munawar Manj, an independent candidate, is gaining popularity by the day, particularly in the rural areas.

His spokesman, Adnan, claimed that out of 26 union councils of NA-121, 10 had announced to support for Khuram Munawar Manj.

The clan vote is also an important factor in the constituency. The District Rajput Association in its meeting, chaired by Rana Adeel Anjum advocate, has unanimously announced its support for Manj. However, there would be a tough contest among Saeed Virk of the PTI, Mian Javed Latif of the PML-N and Khuram Munawar Manj on July 25.

In NA-123, the PML-N’s disgruntled former MPA Tariq Mehmood Bajwa has announced to contest the election as an independent candidate against the former federal minister Barjees Tahir. He had applied for MNA ticket for NA-123 but the PML-N awarded the ticket to Barjees which annoyed him.

In PP-133 and PP-134 of district Nankana, two former MPAs, Zulqernain Dogar and Rana Jameel Hassan, are also in election as independent candidates, causing a problems for the main political parties.

Published in Dawn, July 9th, 2018