The PPP that seemed rudderless in the Punjab during the entire election campaign got the shock of its life after most of its leading stars lost elections, often to much lesser known figures.
Those shown the gates included former prime minister Raja Pervaiz Ashraf from Gujar Khan and sons of former prime minister Yousaf Raza Gilani, despite them spending lavish funds in their respective constituencies to keep their voters and supporters in good faith.
Other party stalwarts from Punjab who fell from grace included Qamar Zaman Kaira, Nadeem Afzal Chann, Firdaus Asiq Awan, Ahmad Mukhtar and Samina Gurki. Even Aitzaz Ahsan, another big name, could not secure the seat of his wife from NA-124 Lahore despite heavy involvement.
As the results are being announced, it seems the PPP has lost its relevance and primacy in the largest province, with the PTI replacing it in most contests.
According to political analysts, the PPP, with all its leading lights from the Punjab out of the contest and reckoning for the next five year, has pay through its nose for neglecting Punjab in the election.
The party’s image problem and incumbency factor also cost party an arm and a leg in the election.
There was hardly any central party leader to take care of the campaign here.
In Lahore, there was hardly any presence in an otherwise a totally lacklustre campaign.
Even on the poling day, it was missing from the scene, with hardly any party flags, posters, portraits or publicity seen anywhere in the city or streets.