KARACHI, Aug 24: The performance of local bodies’ representatives having political connections will figure in the election scene in the rural and coastal areas of Karachi, a survey shows.

Once these areas were a strong support base for the PPP, but dents appeared in the party’s vote bank in the past two elections (1993-97) and in the local bodies polls held in 2001 under the military regime.

Delimitation has not changed the basic political landscape.

Barring a few areas, most of the rural units have always been pro-PPP. But a reverse trend was observed in the past two general elections and the recent local bodies polls.

Reasons: One of the reasons is the PPP high command’s policy of awarding tickets, what the party’s workers say, to outside elements. It discouraged local party workers for canvassing for party leaders.

The infighting resulted in the defeat of some of the party candidates in National and provincial assemblies’ constituencies in former Karachi West, mainly comprising coastal and rural areas.

An influential party supporter and head of Yunusabad, Haji Mohammed Yunus, whose son is the Nazim of Keamari Town who defeated the PML candidate by a margin of one vote, when asked to comment on the situation, he said: “We are waiting for the final list of party candidates.”

He said the party should mend its ways and award tickets to those candidates who have strong local support base. Otherwise, he feared, infighting would erupt in the ranks and files of the party, and it would ultimately affect the outcome of the general election.

However, observers say though the party has grassroots support, infighting has always resulted in damaging the party.

Moreover, the people of coastal and rural areas, who have always voted for the party, are not happy because of the performance of local bodies’ representatives of the party has not been not up to the mark, they say.

These areas continue to suffer because of non-availability of civic amenities such as water supply, sewerage, electricity and health facilities, they say.

A political worker said civic issues would dominate the election scene in Karachi-West, particularly in rural and coastal areas.

He said the PPP leadership had always made wrong decisions without taking into consideration the views of low-level cadres who had always favoured awarding tickets to deserving candidates who enjoyed the support at the grassroots level.

The PPP will also face a tough contest as the Muttahida Qaumi Movement has also announced that it will field local Sindhis and Balochs as candidates in the general elections.

The pro-government Sindh Democratic Alliance will also throw its weight and possibly play the spoiler’s role, observers say.

Apart from that the PML-Nawaz, which had made inroads in Sindh in the previous general elections, will also play a significant role.

However, a clear picture will emerge after political parties make seat adjustments and other alliances before the polling takes place.

The main contenders will, however, remain the same: the PPP, Muttahida and PML (Nawaz).

The coastal and rural areas of Karachi comprise Gadap Town with eight union councils: Murad Memon Goth (Malir), Darsano Channo, Gujhro, Gadap, Songal (W), Yusuf Goth (W), Maymarabad (W) and Manghopir.

Other Towns and union councils are Bin Qasim Town with seven UCs: Ibrahim Haidery, Rehri, Cattle Colony, Quaidabad, Landhi, Gulshan-i-Hadeed and Rehri. Keamari Town with eight UCs: Bhutta village, Keamari, Baba Bhitt, Machhar Colony, Mauripur, Shershah and Gabopat.