A grand alliance?

A united opposition can pull its weight

The decisions taken at a meeting of the opposition leaders on Friday would increase pressure on the government while they would also put an end to any reckless move that could jeopardise the system. The meeting demanded early elections under a consensus CEC, a neutral caretaker government and timely preparation of electoral rolls. The leaders also called for an end to the government’s confrontation with the SC. A united opposition can put formidable pressure on the government to get their demands accepted.

If the purpose behind convening the meeting was to seek endorsement for the PML(N)’s no-confidence motion against Gilani, the party has failed to achieve the objective. The idea was vetoed along with the tactics of collective resignations and long march peddled by Nawaz Sharif to affect an urgent government change. Highly suspicious of any move that could possibly provide an excuse to the usual undertakers to upset the system, the meeting opted for more restrained measures to get the demands accepted. These included persuading Zardari for resignation and Gilani for early elections. While the meeting attempted to bring down Nawaz Sharif from his high horse, it nevertheless presented him an opportunity to lead the entire parliamentary opposition provided he agrees to replace political brinkmanship with sober statesmanship.

A united opposition representing all the provinces led by Nawaz would carry much more weight than a Punjab-centred PML(N). Among other things, the decisions taken by the grand alliance would command a greater moral authority. The message that politicians are determined to save the system would send a timely signal to powerful quarters. The DCC meeting on Saturday, which was preceded by a one-on-one interaction between the President and the Army Chief, might help defuse the tension between the civilian and military leadership. Simultaneously, a message would also be conveyed to the government that it has no option but to accept the demands put up by a combined opposition.

It is now for Nawaz to persuade the PML(N) hawks that their calls for removing the government through street agitation could isolate the party and overturn the apple cart. Furthermore, a grand alliance alone can present itself as a viable alternative to the ruling coalition and would have better prospects in the next elections.