LARKANA: Syed Jalal Mehmood Shah, president of Sindh United Party, has said that though the establishment has ensured victory of its favourite political parties it has not gained from it as its hidden hands stand exposed before the world because of rigging charges.

Mr Shah said at a workers’ gathering here on Tuesday evening that his party was committed to drive out the corrupt and the opportunists through democratic means. “We had formed the party to safeguard our rights. We have survived even jails and whips,” he said.

He said that he had contested five elections and tasted both defeat and victory but this time he had secured 90,000 votes. “I have not acquired this position overnight,” he said.

He said that history showed that many great politicians had died with their ideas only because they ignored the democratic front. “Despite it being a controlled democracy we have the only option to become a democratic force as only those who have firm belief in democracy will succeed,” he said.

Drawing a line between SUP and other parties including PTI, PPP and PML-N, Mr Shah said the SUP had advocated strengthening provinces while others believed in a strong central government.

“We endorse Quaid-i-Azam’s speech delivered on Sept 11, 1947 in assembly. We are against religious extremism, terrorism and corruption. We want equal rights in federation,” he said.

He vowed to continue struggle for people’s rights till the last drop of blood. “We are not disappointed and will continue fighting till we achieve victory,” he said.

Roshan Buriro, Idrees Chandio and other party leaders also addressed the gathering and said that SUP was the party of future. It would rule Sindh one day by defeating corrupt and dishonest elements, they said.

Mr Shah later offered condolences to Dr Ali Gul Metlo, Jagdesh Ahuja, Aftab Bhutto and other SUP workers on the death of their relatives.

Published in Dawn, August 16th, 2018