BAHAWALPUR, Feb 29: Brisk political activities are going on regarding a by-election of Ahmedpur East tehsil nazim, which fell vacant because of the resignation of Makhdoom Samiul Hasan Gilani.

Mr Gilani resigned the slot to contest for NA-183 in the Feb 18 election as a Pakistan Muslim League-Q (PML-Q) candidate. He was defeated by Pakistan People’s Party’s Arif Aziz Sheikh.

Gilani’s stepbrother Makhdoom Ali Hasan Gilani has joined the PML-N. After Mr Gilani’s resignation from the office, Ahmedpur East naib nazim Makhdoom Sibtain was handed over the charge of tehsil nazim for four months. The period will expire on March 29 after which a notification for by election is likely to be issued.

Now, a race between the aspirants has begun as the installation. The main factor affecting the outcome of by-election is a likely PML-N government in Punjab. Mr Gilani enjoyed the slot for two terms. In 2000, he was elected to the office with the support of Nawab Salahuddin Abbasi and in 2005 with the support of District Nazim Tariq Basheer Cheema. It is said Mr Gilani was also an aspirant for the slot but his chances were bleak because of his affiliation with the Cheema group, backed by the PML-Q. In the 2008 elections, the Cheema group was wiped out by his rival Salahuddin Abbasi group. If Gilani sees his chance really bleak, he may field his brother Syed Salman Gilani.

The other potential candidate is PML-N’s Ali Hasan Gilani. The slot may also tantalize PPP’s MNA- elect Mr Aziz to try his luck and may field his own man. In addition, defeated NA candidate Yasin Waran can also be included among candidates.