And so falls the coalition based on petty interests
The elections are round the corner but the ruling coalition has yet to put its house in order. The ANP and MQM are firm on contesting elections on their own, on the basis of their respective programmes. The PPP and PML-Q are trying to figure out if they can agree on a formula of mutual adjustment. Whether the coming election will bring them closer or further divides them remains to be seen.
The flip-flopping MQM is again acting as an aggrieved party. Earlier this week, Farooq Sattar told media that his party had serious reservations which would have to be addressed in a meeting between Altaf Hussain and Asif Zaradri. The meeting however failed to take place. The PPP had put its popularity on the line in its stronghold of Sindh by yielding to MQM’s demand for a divisive local bodies system. Altaf wanted this to be followed by local bodies polls to consolidate his party’s hold over Karachi prior to the general elections. PPP’s failure to oblige gave birth to a new grievance. Subsequently Altaf refused to meet Zardari in London. The signal to the NAB to go ahead against Babar Ghaouri is a double edged sword though. It could either bring the MQM back to the fold or strengthen its resolve to contest the polls on its own and look for possible allies after the elections. The PPP could also ignore the MQM this time hoping to gain in Sindh what the separation would cost it in Karachi.
Mutual adjustments in various constituencies are a major cause of bickering between the PPP and PML-Q. Despite being reduced to a shadow of its former self due to unending defections, the party leadership continues to live in the past. It wants to be treated as a major mainstream party with presence in all provinces. The unrealistic image of the self has led PML-Q to reject any formula for seat adjustments based on ground realities. Turncoats have left the party to join the PML-N and PTI but the party reacts strongly whenever PPP accepts any of its renegades. It refused to negotiate with the PPP committee headed by Manzoor Wattoo accusing him of being instrumental in defections. A second committee headed by Raja Pervaiz Ashraf has so far failed to break the deadlock.
Despite being a parliamentary minority, the PPP managed to rule on account of its policy of reconciliation with all. Its erstwhile partners in power will now wait for the outcome of the elections to decide who it suits them to ally with.
