SWABI: With the election tribunal declaring Shahram Khan Tarakai eligible for contesting the elections, the contest for NA-20, Swabi-II here has become more interesting because heavyweights of the Tarakai family are pitched against each other the first time in the history of Swabi as differences have posed a grave threat to their dominant position in the district.

Usman Tarakai, the uncle of Shahram, who had won election from this constituency in 2008, 2013 and 2018 and district nazim polls in 2005, held portfolios of health, agriculture, local government and education during the Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf government in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

Now Mr Usman is contesting the coming elections on Pakistan Peoples Party ticket.

Mr Usman and Mr Shahram had developed differences during the last months of the PTI government, and the former decided to part ways with Imran Khan’s caravan when the former prime minister failed to give due ‘importance’ to him.

While Mr Usman is running a full-fledged election campaign, Mr Shahram has gone into hiding after the May 9, 2023 incidents.

“Mr Shahraim badly needs to physically run the campaign to stay strong in the fray,” a local PTI leader said on condition of anonymity.

“It would have been almost impossible for rivals to defeat the Tarakai family at polls had it remained united,” the leader said.

“This election is considered do or die for both Usman and his nephew, Shahram. The result of the election will determine their fate,” said a family insider.

Biland Iqbal Tarakai, another uncle of Shahram, is contesting election against him from PK-53, Swabi-V. Mr Shahram had won twice from this constituency, but now he is pitched against his own uncle in this constituency.

Biland Iqbal, former PTI Peshawar region president, had lost elections for the slot of Razaar tehsil mayor on PTI ticket. He had accused Mr Shahram of not supporting him in the mayor elections, which strained their relationship.

Biland Iqbal now contests election from PK-53 on PPP ticket.Various attempts were made by a local jirga to resolve their differences, but to no avail.

However, Ramzan Chaudhry, a spokesman of Shahram, insisted he would win both the PK-53 and NA-20 during the Feb 8 elections.

He claimed the party was also in strong position in other provincial assembly constituencies in the district.

Published in Dawn, January 7th, 2024