CHARSADDA, Sept 26: The two powerful political families of the district, the Walis and Sherpaos, are trying once again to retain their dominance in the political arena.

The 0.45 million registered voters of the district will decide between the two families on Oct 10.

Charsadda, traditionally, a stronghold of the Awami National Party, is set to witness a tough contest this time round.

In the 1990 elections, Khan Abdul Wali Khan, had to quit active politics when he was defeated for the first time by Maulana Hassan Jan of JUI (F) on the sole National Assembly seat of the district. Hassan Jan was backed against the ANP by all the big and small political parties of the district.

However, Asfandyar Wali Khan, the eldest son of Wali Khan, regained the seat in 1993. He tightened his grip on the seat as the ANP defeated the JUI candidate Maulana Gohar Shah in 1997.

This time again, the ANP president is contesting the polls from his home constituency against the JUI candidate Maulana Gohar Shah, who is backed by PPP (Sherpao), Muttahida Majlis-i- Amal and Muslim League (QA).

The district has two NA seats, and luck might shine on Asfandyar as the NA-7 constituency is regarded as the stronghold of ANP.

The Awami National Party has, however, succeeded in winning the support of Kisan Ulasi Jirga, which includes Mazdoor Kisan Party and Pakhtoonkhwa Milli Awami Party, for its candidate for NA-8 from where Aftab Ahmad Khan Sherpao is contesting as a joint candidate of the tripartite alliance.

So, the contest fares very tough for Sherpao this time.