NAWABSHAH, Dec 25: Electioneering is gaining momentum in Nawabshah city and a close contest is expected between the Pakistan People’s Party and the Muttahida Qaumi Movement for the Sindh Assembly’s seat PS-24.

The constituency comprises the city and adjoining rural areas of Gupchani and Ghandtar union councils. Candidates of the PPP, MQM, Pakistan Muslim League (Nawaz) and the Jamiat Ulema-i-Islam are holding corner meetings at various places.

The candidates have set up several election offices and workers of the parties are hoisting party flags, posters, banners and portraits of their leaders and candidates.

The constituency has 159,808 voters -- 81,102 men and 68,706 women.

Chaudhry Tariq Masood Arain of the PPP had defeated Rao Abdul Sami of the MQM in the 2002 election with a margin of 5,000 votes.

The PPP has again fielded Tariq Masood, a settler, against Abdul Rasheed Arain alias Bhayya of the MQM.

Tariq Masood is facing some difficulties because, being an opposition member of the assembly, he could not carry out development work in the city during the past five years. However, some important people of the Qazi and Rao communities have announced their support to him.

There was a silent opposition from party workers against the candidate but the recent visit of PPP chairperson Benazir Bhutto has pumped some energy into his campaign and the expected arrival of Asif Ali Zardari in Nawabshah is likely to turn the scenario in his favour.

Mr Masood Arain is visiting different localities with the PPP candidate for National Assembly, Dr Azra Fazal Pechuho, and promising to undertake development projects.

The development works carried out by the Awam Dost panel in the local government will also go in his favour.

Abdul Rasheed Arain alias Rasheed Bhaya is known for his polite nature. So far, the MQM has gained support of the National People’s Party as well as Awan, Jatt, Jamali, Kalhoro and some other tribes in the rural areas.

The MQM is also facing resistance from different communities on the selection of its candidate and some people of the Qazi and Malik communities have announced their support to the PPP.

The MQM-backed panel won the election of Nawabshah Taluka nazim in 2005 and carried out development work in the city, including repair of streets, streetlights, drainage and sewerage lines.

It is expected that the PML-Q and the PML-F will also support the MQM candidate as Syed Zahid Hussain Shah of the PML-F is contesting against Dr Pechuho for NA-213 with the PML-Q’s support.