DERA GHAZI KHAN, Sept 26: Political scenario of the district could not be changed from 1937 to 1997 as it has always been dominated by feudal-cum-tribal chiefs.

Only three middle class contestants have so far been able to win the elections — Akhwand Abdul Karim in 1937, Dr Nazir Ahmad in 1970 and Mufti Mahmood in 1977. While two women participated in the polls — Afifa Mamdot, the aunt of Millat Party chief Farooq Leghari, and Begum Zenat Khan, a social worker. And now in the Oct 10 elections also, only one woman, Shahida Qureshi, is contesting for PP-243 as an independent candidate.

This time again the same influential families are in the run. Neither the practice of basic democracy by Ayub Khan nor the devolution plan of the present regime could lessen the role of feudal-cum-tribal chiefs in Dera politics. Even the legal framework could not keep these influential families away from the Oct 10 electoral excercise.

The politics of the district revolves around Tumandars and Khwajas of Taunsa Sharif, represented by Legharis, Khosas, Buzdars, Qaisranis, Lunds and Khetrans. These tribes were re-organized by the British government in the middle of the 19th century, and each tribal chief was delegated aditional powers to control his subjects.

There are three national and seven provincial assembly seats in the district.

Seven aspirants are in the run for NA-171, a constituency with 309,782 voters. Khwaja Sheraz who resigned from Taunsa Sharif tehsil nazimship to contest as PML-QA candidate has an edge over Khwaja Jamaluddin Asghar (PPP) and Amjad Farooq Khan Khosa (PML-N). But the alliance between the PML-N and the PPP can give a tough time to him.

There will be a close contest between the PML-QA and the PPP as the PML-N has no provincial assembly wing in this run.

In NA-172, there will be a tough contest between Farooq Leghari and his nephew, Muhammad Khan Leghari, the son of Maqsood Leghari. Dr Saeed Buzdar (PPP) and Advocate Rasheed Ahmad (MMA) are also in the field against the Legharis.

The Tumandar family of the Leghari tribe is facing crisis as Maqsood Leghari has rebelled against his chief, Farooq Leghari. Various sub-tribes of the area are also opposing the MP chief. That’s why he has, so far, failed to arrange a big election rally in Dera city, while his nephew is getting a good response from the general public.

For NA-173, there are six contestants in the race. Husain Khan Leghari (Ind), the son of Maqsood Leghari, seems to have an edge over Avais Khan Leghari (MP), the son of Farooq Leghari. For this seat Maqsood Leghari had always contested against Saifuddin Khan Khosa. But now arch rivals have joined hands against Avais Leghari. Other candidates are Irfanullah Khan Khosa (PPP), Abbas Ali Khan Lund (Ind), Dr Saleem Arif (Ind) and Maulana Abdul Rahim (MMA).

For PP-240, five Qaisranis and three Khetrans are in the run. They are Aurangzeb Qaisrani (Ind), Tahir Muhammad Abdullah Qaisrani (MMA), Wahid Bakhsh Qaisrani (Ind), Imam Bakhsh Qaisrani (MP), Meer Badshah Qaisrani (PML-Q), Auranzeb Alamgir Khetran (Ind), Farooq Khetran (PPP) and Marghoob Khetran (Ind). Saleem Jan Jaskani (Ind) and Makhdoom Manzoor Ahmad (Ind) are also contesting for this seat.

Earlier, the papers of Meer Badshah Qaisrani were rejected for producing bogus graduation degree. But later, the election tribunal allowed him to contest the polls.

PP-241 is dominated by the Buzdars, Malghanis, Bughlanis and Nutkanis. Buzdar tribal chief and Tumandar Fateh Muhammad Khan (PML-QA), Abdul Salam Khan Buzdar (MMA) and Khwaja Mudassar (PPP) are the contestants.

In PP-242, mainly dominated by the Khosas, Lunds and Kalyanis, seven aspirants are in the run, but the main fight will be among Salahuddin Khosa (Ind), Irfanullah Khosa (PPP) and Javed Akhtar (MP). Other contestants are Allah Bakhsh (Ind), Abbas Ali Khan Lund (Ind), Saleem Arif Lund (Ind) and Muhammad Azam (MMA).

For PP-243, Jaffar Khan Leghari (Ind), Muhammad Khan Leghari (Ind), Shahida Qureshi (Ind), Shafqat Nadeem Khan Khosa (Ind) Sher Muhammad Khalol (PPP), Liaqat Ali Yousfi (MMA) and Abdul Rehman (PML-QA) are in the field. But a close fight will be between Jaffar Leghari and Muhammad Khan.

In PP-244, comprising Dera city and the adjacent rural area, Sardar Alam Khan Khetran (PPP), Saifuddin Khan Khosa (PML-N), Syed Abdul Aleem (MP), Yaqoob Ahsan (Ind), Riyaz Ahmad Alyani (Ind), Anwarul Hasan Shah (PML-Z), Shaikh Usman Farooq (MMA) and Muhammad Mazhar Khan Nutkani (Ind) are in the race. There will be a tough fight between Sardar Aleem and Saifuddin.

For PP-245, there will be a tough fight between former president and Millat Party chief Farooq Leghari and his nephew, Muhammad Khan Leghari. Saeed Buzdar of the PPP is also a candidate for this seat.

In PP-246, Saifuddin Khosa (PML-N) has an edge over Yousaf Leghari (MP). The other contestants are Advocate Muhammad Jahangir (PPP), Qazi Zulfiqar Husain (MMA) and Riyaz Ahmad Alyani (Ind).