GUJRANWALA, Sept 15: Biradaris will play a vital role in determining the result of NA-97, a constituency of rural and urban area.

The PML-N has fielded strong candidate of Jat caste, former MNA Chaudhry Mahmood Bashir Virk. A senior lawyer, Mr Virk is enjoying his biradari’s support. He was elected MNA in the last general election.

The PPP has allotted ticket for this constituency to Dr Zafar Sandho, who had resigned from the office of Nazim. He also belongs to the Jat caste and is in run for the first time.

On the PML-QA’s platform, Chaudhry Shahid Akram Bhinder, son of Chaudhry Muhammad Akram Bhinder and nephew of veteran politician Chauhdry Muhammad Anwar, will face the PML-N and PPP rivals. He is also a lawyer and had thrice been elected MPA.

The Muttahida Majlis-i-Amal has fielded religious leader Syed Sabir Husain Abbasi after consultation with various religious organizations. The PML-N and PML-QA are likely to have a tough contest as both the aspirants enjoy reasonable support.

ELECTIONEERING: The candidates of various political and religious parties have set up offices to attend voters for their election campaign.

A survey conducted by this correspondent on Sunday revealed that the candidates had been arranging corner meetings regularly and assuring the public of solving their long-standing problems.

Sources said some influential candidates have started spending on construction of streets and drains in their constituencies.

A majority of voters in rural areas are supporting their old guards while the candidates in urban areas depend heavily on biradaris.