And resurrecting the PPP
Recent public appearances were not Bilawal Bhutto Zardari’s first steps in politics, of course. When president, his father often kept him close and visible, especially on foreign outings, including the White House. But the road to his more formal entry into politics has been more of a novelty. Punjabis are no longer strangers to VIPs parading their entourages in knee deep flood water – dismissing it as a seasonal spectacle with little intrinsic value – but Bilawal’s surprise mingling with common folk in South Punjab evoked a visceral reaction among thinning party cadres in the province.
His letter of apology to party workers, too, is interesting politics, even if somewhat double-edged. Reaching out to disgruntled workers at a time when the PTI alternative seems inviting in Punjab will no doubt serve as an assurance that the new chief has their grievances high on his agenda, but it is also an acceptance of outright failure; something not known to work in Pakistan’s politics. Then there is the question of what he can really do to arrest the party’s long decline in Punjab. If his indulgence should turn out to be little more than pre-launch gimmickry, there will not be another chance to win over the crucial province. And considering the way the party is sidelined, something novel will need to be done indeed.
Perhaps resurrecting the party’s old liberal-progressive ethos would be a good start. And his so far limited public speeches have indicted a liking for centre-left politics that his grandfather wished his party to personify. Now especially, when Islamabad has become a playing field for right-wing politics, he could ramp up support on the periphery on not just ideological, but also political grounds, as he readies himself for the next elections. But however he proceeds, Bilawal will have to keep winning back hearts and minds of long time loyal workers – who have stood by the party for so long on the Bhutto name’s appeal – at the top of his to-do list. Fancy slogans that gave a feeling of empowerment to middle and lower classes once upon a time have long since lost their appeal. One reason Imran strikes common people is their disenchantment with ‘regular’ politicians, who are big on promises and small on delivery. If Bilawal can steer his party away from such classification, he will have a chance of resurrecting the PPP, especially in Punjab.
