SANGHAR, Oct 1: Tough contest is likely between the People’s Party Parliamentarians (PPP) and the Pakistan Muslim League (F) in Sanghar district.

The settlers’ votes may influence the outcome on the polling day in NA-234 (Sanghar-I).

The Urdu-speaking community has always played a key role in Shahdadpur and Tando Adam talukas of NA-236 (Sanghar-III).

While Bheels, Kolhis and Meghawars have influenced the outcome in Khipro and Jam Nawaz Ali talukas of NA-235 (Sanghar-II).

Candidates supported by Pir Pagara have enjoyed a comfortable position during the previous polls except in 1988 and 1993 by-elections.

Both the PPP and the PML-N experienced some difficulties in finding suitable candidates when elections were announced.

However, voters’ sympathy turned towards both the parties following the rejection of Benazir and Nawaz Sharif’s papers.

The PPP candidates are holding large corner meeting in NA-234, where the settlers had previously been supportive of Pir Pagara.

The candidates from this constituency include Haji Khuda Buksh Nizamani of the PML-F, Abid Hussain Rind of the PPP, Aijaz Shafi of the PML-N and Abdul Malik Shar of the MQM.

There is still some confusion as the PPP and the PML-N have been unable to reach at any seat adjustment here. Both the parties could give a tough time to the PML-F if they join hands.

Aijaz Shafi has not started campaigning, while Abid Hussain Rind is concentrating for his provincial assembly seat.

There are nine candidates contesting from NA-235 but the real fight would be between Asad Ali Junejo and PML-F Qazi Abdul Qudoos Rajar. The PPP has withdrawn its candidate from this constituency.

The Hindu community, Hurs (Pir Pagara’s devotees) and Sarwari Jamaat (devotees of Makhdoom of Hala) abound in Khipro taluka.

Eight candidates are contesting the NA-236 seat.

But Shahnawaz Junejo of the PML-F and Fida Hussain Dero of the PPP are considered to be strong candidates here.

Previously, the sympathisers of the Muttahida Qaumi Movement played a crucial role in this constituency.

Earlier, the Urdu-speaking community had supported the PML-F candidates but this time the Muttahida has fielded its own candidate — Mohammad Rizwan — from this constituency.

This may prove troublesome for the PML-F candidate.

On the other hand, Fida Hussain Dero of the PPP claims the support of major local clans.

Eleven candidates are contesting the seat for PS-78, including Chaudhary Iftikhar Ahmed, advocate, of the PML-F, Syed Qurban Ali Shah of the PPP, and Mohammad Nawaz Sulehri of the PML-N.

These three can be described as the main contenders from this constituency.

Although, the PPP candidates has not officially withdrawn in favour of Sulehri, but he is not campaigning.

The district PPP chief, Altaf Hussain Rind, said that negotiations are in progress. If the PPP and the PML-N join hands, they can give a tough time to the PML-F candidate here.

Some 15 candidates are contesting from PS-79 in Sinjhoro taluka, but the contenders are Haji Pir Bux Junejo of the PML-F and Abid Hussain Rind of the PPP.

The PML-F candidate will have to face tough resistance if the PPP and the PML-N arrive at a seat adjustment here.

Six candidates are contesting from PS-80 in Khipro taluka. The main contestants here are Haji Mohammad Anwar Hingoro of the PML-F and Habibullah Hingoro of the PPP.

Asad Junejo is supporting the PPP candidate here.

Jam Nawaz Ali, Ghulam Ali Wassan (PPP) and Jam Madad Ali (PML-F) are contesting from PS-81.

Haji Mukhtiar Ali Shoro (PPP) and Imam Din Shauqeen, the district head of Khidmat-e-Khalq Committee during the previous Nawaz government, are the main contestants from PS-82.

There are 13 candidates contesting in PS-83 but the actual fight is between Mahi Khan Wassan of the PML-F and Abdul Rehman Thaheem of the PPP.