SIALKOT, Aug 29: The Muttahida Majlis-i-Amal (MMA) has announced its support for ARD candidate Malik Ashraf for the office of district Naib Nazim.

With the announcement of the MMA decision, political pundits are of the view that the electoral alliance between the ARD and the MMA would give a tough time to the PML-Q candidate.

Meanwhile, lawyers once again announced their support to Munawar Warraich, who is the president of the District Bar Association, in the September 8 election.

The ARD and MMA are accusing the Tehsil Municipal Administration of using state funds in favour of PML-Q candidate Chaudhry Imran Othi.

MMA MPA Arshad Mahmood Baggo has alleged that the entire machinery of Sialkot district government is busy electioneering for the PML-Q candidate in Sialkot, Daska and Pasrur tehsils in violation of the code of conduct announced by the Election Commission of Pakistan.

The Variyo family, known as the ‘king makers’, have not yet announced their support for any of the candidates. No one among the PML-N, the MMA and the ARD has yet been succeeded in getting their support.

The Variyos of Sialkot are still remaining “silent” in this regard.

Political analysts, in the meantime, said no candidate could get clear majority in the election, thus, there would be “run-off election” on September 16 to decide the winner.