GUJRAT: The announcement of vacating NA-69 Gujrat by the PML-Q’s Chaudhry Pervaiz Elahi elected from this constituency has, once again, created an atmosphere of electioneering in his hometown where the candidates of different parties have relaunched lobbying for the by-polls.

This has started happening despite the fact that the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) is yet to notify the successful candidates and announce the schedule for by-polls.

Mr Elahi was elected from three constituencies, namely NA-65 Chakwal, NA-69 and PP-30 Gujrat; however, he announced to vacate both the NA seats to retain the Punjab Assembly seat on Monday.

Mr Elahi, who was a joint candidate of the PML-Q and PTI, also announced to launch his son, Moonis Elahi, on NA-69 as his party’s candidate whereas former PML-N MNA Sardar Mumtaz Tamman is the likely choice of the party for NA-65 Chakwal.

The announcement by Pervaiz Elahi has provided an opportunity to many potential candidates of political parties, including that of the PTI’s Afzal Gondal, a former party ticket-holder from NA 105 (now 69) in 2013, have also jumped into the race.

Mr Gondal issued a statement on Tuesday, expressing his resolve to seek the PTI ticket in the expected by-polls. Similarly, a local PML-N group from Moinudinpur Syedan has also shown interest in fielding its leader, Syed Adeel Abbas Shah, as a candidate for NA-69. Another option for the PML-N is former MNA Chaudhry Mubashar Hussain who has been its candidate on this seat in the last two general elections (2013 and 2018). However, sources close to Mubashar said he would make a decision as per the situation and the party policy.

A disgruntled PML-N leader, Haji Aurnagzaib Butt, who had contested the July 25 polls as an independent candidate for PP-31 Gujrat city and bagged some 14,000 votes, playing a role in defeat of PML-N candidate Imran Zafar on the seat, has also started consultations within his group to contest the by-polls.

Dr Tariq Saleem, the Gujrat president of Muttahida Majlis-i-Amal, has also hinted at launching the party candidate in the by-polls.

Wazirun Nisa Chaudhry, a PPP candidate for NA-69, said she would follow the decision of her party on the by-polls.

Published in Dawn, August 2nd, 2018