SANGHAR, Aug 15: Sindh Chief Minister Dr Arbab Ghulam Rahim has said the opposition has not been able to find suitable candidates for the local body elections that is why it is accusing the government of rigging the polls.

Talking to journalists in Shahdadpur on Monday, he claimed support of people in the elections. About construction of the Kalabagh dam, he said he could not comment on the issue before the water committee’s report was received. However, he added, water flowing downstream Kotri Barrage was being wasted.

The chief minister also spoke at a public meeting at the Hardaspura Chowk. He said the Muttahida Qaumi Movement and the Pakistan Muslim League-F were allies of the PML and their win would be considered as win of the PML.

He claimed that during the Pakistan People’s Party regime in 1977, dozens of MNAs and MPAs had returned unopposed and even some PPP candidates had won by more than 200,000 votes.

He said the PPP did not call it rigging but now when a few councillors had won unopposed, the party was accusing the government of rigging. Speaking on the occasion, MPA Mahi Khan Wassan demanded packages for Shahdadpur and Achhro Thar. He also called for construction of an overhead railway bridge in Shahdadpur.