KARACHI, Oct 9: Despite the fact that bread-and-butter issues did not figure prominently in the lacklustre election campaign, the Muttahida Qaumi Movement, which, through the platform of provincial autonomy, has owned what used to be the agenda of confederal Sindhi nationalist parties, would retain control of the largest urban settlement of the country, where the problems of unemployment, lack of basic civic amenities and law and order affect everyone.

Although nationalists have never obtained sufficient support for their agenda so far, an overwhelming victory for the MQM (Haq Parast) in Karachi, with the similar agenda, would have far-reaching impact on the evolving political polarization in the country which is riven by ethnicity and militancy.

In a city of about 14 million souls, there are 4,747,552 registered voters, whom the candidates, contesting on the 20 National assembly and 42 provincial assembly seats, failed to attract in great numbers in corner and public meetings.

Emergence of the middle class and its mobilization is essential for the strengthening of democracy, but none of the political parties contributed to its emergence. They also failed to give a blue print of their policy for the working class of this port city. Nor had they any plan for gearing up industrial activity and revival of sick units to generate employment and add to the income of the province.

In a metropolis where one has seen many water-related scuffles and complaints of water contamination, not much attention was given to the problem, though some candidates had no other option, due to the nature of their constituencies. Similarly, though some parties lent support to the Karachi Mass Transit and revival of the Karachi Circular Railway projects, these could not become a major election issue.

A large number of youths, who attained 18 years of age only recently, and were spearheading the election campaign of various political parties, may not be able vote as they have not yet been issued the NIC card, though their names have been included in the voters lists. It may cause problems in the hot seats and could lead to problems at some polling stations, followed by protests by the parties.

The new delimitation and restrictive campaign rules could account for making these elections a low turnout contest. The lack of organized cadre with the mainstream political parties would also contribute to it. It has been witnessed that the Muttahida Qaumi Movement, which has a very-well organized regimented cadre, matched only by the Jamaat-i-Islami, a component of the Muttahida Majlis-i-Amal, also failed to attract big crowds in its corner meetings.

The MQM used the personality cult of the London-based party chief, Altaf Husain, who in his telephone speeches mainly focused on writing a new constitution, abolishing feudalism, provincial autonomy under the 1940 Resolution and lashed at the religio-political parties and the invisible forces of the Establishment.

The MMA focused on the government’s policies which, it claimed, had compromised the independence and integrity of the country. It promised to transform society in accordance with the tenets of Islam. The American-led policies in the Middle East, Afghanistan, Kashmir, South Asia and the rest of the Muslim world had their effect on their attitude.

The bread-and-butter issues remained secondary in most of the rallies.

It would be interesting to note that considerable space was devoted by the contenders to such issues in their manifestos, together with the standard and generalized formulations on education, health, water and transport, etc. But in rallies and corner meeting generalized speeches were made on local problems and issues.

The PP Parliamentarians and the PML (N) generally focused on the elimination of frequent military interventions, supremacy of parliament, combating terrorism, etc. and exploited the sympathy factor. Some of their candidates campaigned mainly on local issues. But it was apparent that they lacked trained and motivated cadres.

On the contrary, the PML (Q), which is understood to be a creation of the Establishment, and the mysterious independents have allegedly been getting the administration’s allout support.

Some other parties and religious groups would add to the confusion due to their spoiler capability.

As militancy and political polarization are expected to persist despite elections, Karachi is likely to remain neglected as political rather than civic issues got importance during the campaign.