LARKANA, Sept 26: Winds of change appear to be sweeping the PPP ranks, somewhere gaining strength while losing support elsewhere, as certain influential people defect and join the party’s bandwagon.

Some 66 candidates appear to have inched up their election campaigns, as time contracts for the final showdown on October 10. Close fights are likely to be witnessed on four provincial assembly seats between the PPP, the PML-Q, the National Alliance and independent candidates.

The PPP candidate for PS-35, Ghulam Sarwar Siyal, may benefit by the recent defection of Sardar Ghulam Hussain Junejo, who recently joined the PPP bandwagon.

The emerging solidarity between the Bughios, Siyals, Jatois and a faction of Unnars, led by Shafqat Unnar, may improve the prospects for Siyal and can prove troublesome for Unnar.

There are 13 contestants for the PS-36 (Larkana-II) seat.

Jamil Ahmed Soomro’s announcement to retire from the contest paved the way for Nisar Khuhro’s candidacy.

Other contestants from this seat are: Jawed Mithani (PML-Q), Ahmed Ali Shaikh (independent), Mansoor Shaikh, Mohammed Ashique Dhamraho (MMA), Saeed Ahmed Bhutto (PPP-SB), Dr Mazhar Mughal and Ms Naseem Akhtar Sahito.

Division in the votes of the Shaikh community — as there are two Shaikhs in the run for this seat — may tilt the balance in favour of the PPP. Larkana City is dominated by the Shaikh community’s votes.

Nisar Khuhro appears to enjoy a comfortable position in this constituency.

There are seven candidate running for PS-37 (Larkana-III).

Tough fight is expected between Amir Bakhsh Bhutto, the son of the SNF chief, Mumtaz Ali Bhutto and the PPP’s Ayaz Soomro.

Eight candidates are contesting from PS-38 (Larkana-IV). There are only three serious candidates running from this constituency — Haji Munawar Ali Abbasi, Dr Sikandar Ali Jatoi of the PPP-SB and the PML-Q candidate, Ali Gohar Junejo.

Seven candidates are in the race for PS-39 (Larkana-V), including Ghulam Majid Isran (PPP), Ali Hassan Khan Hakiro (NA) and Daman Ali Chandio (MMA).

There are seven contestants for PS-40 (Larkana-VI), including Ghulam Akbar Magsi (PPP), Abdul Rehman Junejo (MQM) and Mohammed Karim Mengal (NA).

This is a PPP stronghold, where the Magsis wield power.

Nine candidate are running from PS-41 (Larkana-VII), including Aziz Jatoi (PPP), Allah Bakhsh Unnar (PML-Q) and an independent candidate, Saleem Akhtar Tunio.

Differences, which recently cropped up between the Tunios and the Unnars of the PML-Q, would strengthen the prospects for the PPP nominee.

There are 10 contestants for PS-42 (Larkana-VII). The opposition has started encroaching upon the PPP’s popularity in Warah amidst reports of a rift in the PPP ranks over allotment of party ticket to Najamuddin Abro for PS-42 (Larkana-VIII).

Tough fight is expected between Hareef Chandio, an independent candidate, the PML-Q’s Mazharuddin and the PPP’s Najamuddin Abro.

The PPP can hold sway in this constituency if it manges to settle its differences in time.