What matters a lot in politics is the timing of a move. The PML(N)’s drive for a grand alliance is not only belated but also misconceived. The self-righteous leadership of the party drove away potential allies and entered into mud slinging matches with them. The more the party was alienated, the stronger was the perception among its leaders that the PML(N) alone was pursuing the correct political line. This explains why Nawaz Sharif’s call for a grand alliance has elicited little enthusiasm. His statement maintaining that the grand alliance was “the need of the hour” to “rid the nation of this government” has rightly or wrongly led to the perception, both in government and in opposition circles, that the proposed alliance was aimed at seeking mid-term elections. The perception was strengthened by Shahbaz Sharif’s alarmist statement that “It was time to protect the existence of Pakistan, which required practical steps.” Nawaz’s call led Prime Minister Gilani to clarify that while the stage was being set for local bodies elections, there was no possibility whatsoever of holding the general elections before time. The MQM and JUI(F) have expressed similar views.
The proposal for the grand alliance seems to have been launched without any ground work. Brainwaves cannot be a substitute for well thought out political moves. The announcement has therefore led to complaints. JUI(F)’s Senator Abdul Ghafoor Haideri has said opposition parties should have been taken into confidence over the proposed grand alliance’s agenda. Further that the party does not favour midterm elections and no one had the right to remove the government through unconstitutional means. Shahbaz Sharif’s condescending invitation to MQM too has failed to cut ice with the party which has made it clear that while being in the opposition, it will cooperate with the PML(N) inside the parliament, “We do not believe in plans to topple governments to achieve certain political goals.”
London has often provided a venue for secret talks away from the glare of the Pakistani media. With the top leadership of the PPP, MQM, JUI(F) and ANP present in London, one expects moves and countermoves of all sorts to take place. There is, however, little chance of any grand opposition alliance emerging for the time being.