THATTA, Jan 10: With only four days left to the by-elections, the Shirazi group’s candidate is likely to return uncontested on PS-86 (Mirpur Bathoro-Sujawal) seat in the absence of a campaign by the PPP’s candidate, Arbab Wazir Ahmed Memon.

Knowledgeable sources in the People’s Party Parliamentarians, while commenting on the situation, said that Wazir, citing financial constraints, had refused to be nominated as the party candidate.

They said that Wazir had acceded and asked for financial assistance after he was informed by the Sindh PPP president, Nisar Ahmed Khuhro, that he had been ordered by the party leadership to contest the election.

Wazir, who had been defeated by Mohammad Ali Malkani on the seat of NA-238 (Thatta-II) in the October election, has again been fielded on the Sindh Assembly seat PS-86, vacated by Syed Ayaz Ali Shah Shirazi, who had also secured a National Assembly seat.

The Shirazis have launched their election campaign much earlier than the PPP candidate. They can be seen delivering speeches at corner meetings, offering Fateha for the departed souls, reconciliating with their rivals and settling feuds.

Another factor, going in their favour, is the Muttahida Qaumi Movement’s announcement to remain neutral in the by-election.

The nationalist parties, whose major stronghold is Mirpur Bathoro taluka, are also acting as silent spectators in the by- election.

The sympathisers of the PPP, who appear to be disheartened by the outcome of the October elections, are openly commenting against the PPP candidate and other district leaders of the party.