PML-N holds back ticket announcement for fear of backlash

With deadline for filing nomination papers expiring today (Sunday), major parties have failed to announce tickets for major districts leaving the aspirants high and dry.

In Lahore, the PML-N remained indecisive and fell far short of announcing tickets for aspirants from major districts of the province.

Party sources said the Sharifs, in order to preempt defections from the party, were keeping decisions on the ticket for the eleventh hour.

Another senior leader said the party leadership deliberately withheld decisions to cool down angry workers protesting day in and day out against party’s selection process.

Insiders said the PML-N had deferred the announcement of tickets for Lahore, Gujrawala and Faisalabad while announcing tickets to candidates from DG Khan, Sheikhupura and Sarghodha on Saturday.

Surprisingly, Nawaz Sharif did not award tickets to the Leghari brothers, sons of former president Farooq Leghari.

It has been learnt that the PML-N parliamentary board would meet on Tuesday to take up the remaining districts, especially Lahore.

Meanwhile, the party high-ups have asked all aspirants to file nomination papers on their own for the time being, exposing those candidates to the scrutiny of Election Commission who stand less chances of getting tickets.

Political analysts say the dithering over award of tickets would spoil the precious time of candidates, which he should otherwise spend in the constituency.

Following the filing of nominations, ECP will start scrutiny of the candidates’ papers. This would be followed by a phase in which a candidate could file appeals and resort to withdrawal of his candidacy papers.

On April 17 he could produce party ticket before ECP and in return would be allotted party symbol.

The party sources expect quick decision-making once the deadline for nomination paper lapses.

Politicians say parties only had time to firm up their decisions before April 17.

“The leadership has everything in mind especially whom to award ticket. They are just avoiding backlash from those not likely to get a ticket. Hence they are buying time,” another insider revealed.