SWABI, Dec 19: The Swabi Jamhoori Ittehad (SJI) and Swabi Qaumi Mahaz (SQM) have entered into an electoral alliance against the Awami National Party (ANP), said Imran Khan Tarakai, media incharge for Tarakais here on Wednesday.

Former MPA, Dr Muhammad Salim, the chief of SQM and SJI was formed by the district nazim Shahram Khan Tarakai during the local bodies’ election and now the latter’s two uncles -- Usman Khan Tarakai from NA-12, Swabi-1 and Javid Iqbal Tarakai -- contesting election from the platform. Mr Imran said that the SQM would support Mr Usman against the ANP president Asfandyar Wali Khan who is also contesting election from the NA-12.

He said that Dr Salim is their joint candidate for PF-31, Swabi-1, Mr Javid Iqbal of SJI for PF-32, Swabi-11 and Awal Sher of SQM for PF-33, Swabi-111. “Our alliance is for just these constituencies,” he said.

The candidates of the two alliance parties would not contest election from NA-13, Swabi-11, PF-34, Swabi-4, PF-35, Swabi-5 and PF-36, Swabi-6, Mr Imran said.

“The withdrawal of the PPP-Sherpao candidate, Jehan Zeb Bahadar, from PF-32 in favour of Javid Tarakai has greatly boosted our position,” he said.

Meanwhile Mr Usman during his election campaign on Wednesday said that Pukhtuns would no longer be used by the Walibagh leaders for their own political gains because now they are mature. Pukhtuns would no longer become part of the conspiracies, he said. He said that Mr Asfandyar should only confine himself to NA-7, Charsadda-1 and his decision to contest election from the district was against the interest of the local people.

He said that in 1988 general election the ANP candidate late Abdul Khaliq Khan of Mardan won election from Swabi but after that he could not visit to the district and utterly failed to take a sole step for the solution of the people’s problems.