MUZAFFARABAD, April 25: AJK Prime Minister Sardar Attique Ahmed Khan has formally launched his son, Usman Attique, as a candidate for the general elections likely to be held in June-July from an urban constituency of Muzaffarabad, an area from where his father and the then premier Sardar Abdul Qayyum Khan had suffered a humiliating defeat exactly 15 years ago. A formal declaration about his candidature came at a public meeting in the suburban Lohar Galli village the other day which was addressed by the prime minister along with some cabinet members and local Muslim Conference (MC) leaders.
Mr Usman, who heads MC’s so-called coordination board, is venturing on the electoral politics for the first time but has chosen Muzaffarabad to try his luck instead of his native Bagh district, home to three constituencies, represented by Prime Minister Sardar Attique (LA-13 Bagh-I), PML-N leader Col (retired) Raja Mohammad Nasim (LA-14, Bagh-II), and People’s Party AJK leader Sardar Qamaruz Zaman (LA-15, Bagh-III).
Since 1985, when the parliamentary election was held after a gap of 10 years, LA-13 Bagh-I has seen none but prime minister’s family members returning to the legislature.
From 1985 to 2001, the constituency was represented either by his father or uncle (Sardar Abdul Ghaffar) but in the last (2006) election he himself contested from there.
Prior to that, Sardar Attique was elected thrice as MLA but from LA-29 Jammu and others–I, one of the 12 LA constituencies in Pakistan. Of these 12 constituencies, six are strictly reserved for refugees from Kashmir Valley and the rest for refugees from Jammu and “others.” The word "others" gives loophole to the AJK nationals living in Pakistan to contest from any of these six seats.
As the MQM also jumped into the AJK politics in 2006, the Jammu & others-I seat was clinched by its candidate Tahir Khokhar, who incidentally also happens to be an AJK resident.
In the absence of any other ‘secure’ constituency for his heir apparent, the prime minister decided to field him from LA-26 Muzaffarabad-III; also because the constituency lacked any soul in his party who could dare resist or challenge nomination of an ‘imported candidate’.
For the sake of his son, the premier has started spending considerable time in Muzaffarabad, something which was rare in the past.
LA-26 encompasses Muzaffarabad city - a traditionally stronghold of anti-MC voters - and some of its suburban areas. Prior to 2006 polls, LA-25 and LA-26 used to be a single constituency and was twice represented by MC nominees.
However, in 1996 MC candidate and sitting premier Sardar Abdul Qayyum was defeated by PPAJK’s Khwaja Farooq Ahmed by a margin of over 10,000 votes.
In 2006 polls, held after its bifurcation, PPAJK’s Hanif Awan won the mainly urban area seat and MC’s Murtaza Gillani clinched the rural area seat.
Residents of the urban area, which saw utter devastation in the 2005 earthquake, feel marginalised at the hands of MC governments.
Shortly after coming to power, Sardar Attique had added fuel to fire by announcing alleged relocation of the state capital.
However, grievances against the MC apart, past five-year performance of PPAJK lawmaker has also remained dismal, making many independent analysts believe that renewal of his ticket could be a boon for his opponents.
The PML-N, which has also emerged as a force to reckon with, is yet to announce its candidate from here though some reports suggest it could be the party’s organiser Raja Farooq Haider himself.
Observers say that with Mr Awan and young Usman in the fray, it would not be difficult for Mr Haider to clinch the seat if he exploits the alleged failures and shortcomings of his opponents in a befitting manner.
