Departure from the Zardari doctrine?
Bilawal’s politics is raising some interesting, and important, questions. But firstly, it was refreshing to see him address Larkana’s Hindu population on the occasion of Diwali. It was not just a PR exercise, but rather a bold, and courageous, political statement. There is indeed a need to resurrect Jinnah’s Pakistan, where, according to the new PPP chairman, “Diwali and Eid are celebrated with the same passion and fervour”. The past few years have seen a disturbing tilt of society as a whole towards the extreme right. Since the TTP insurgency especially, religious extremists have confused much of the society about Islamic militancy. In the ensuing violence, most social and political groups have stayed silent even as ethnic and religious minorities have endured some of the worst atrocities in the state’s history. In such an environment, Bilawal’s clear positioning of the PPP is appreciated.
He’s had quite an impact on matters of more usual politics as well. His scripted provocation of the MQM must have factored in the parting of the ways that quickly followed. And the fissures are now headed to the national assembly, where the leader of the opposition is coming under fire. This seems a departure from the party’s ways of the recent past. When his father pulled the strings, the Peoples Party favoured a policy of reconciliation with all. Even after leaving office, the former president made the party defend the N-league as the dharna pressure mounted. What follows in the coming days will tell a lot about the PPP as it wriggles to revive its fortunes; something that was inevitable after the election rout. If Rehman Malik and friends jet off to London anytime soon, there might be some friction in the party hierarchy. But if nothing is done, Bilawal’s line is final – that they never needed the MQM – and that’s that.
It is significant that Bilawal has also announced hopping onto the jalsa bandwagon. He’s had clear doubts about the dharnas, but PPP think tanks cannot underscore the success of large public rallies that allowed PTI and PAT some face-saving. And if the PPP wants to be counted, it will have to be seen building similar pressure. With the N league in retreat, these developments can trigger serious changes on the political landscape. And as the politics gets more intense, Bilawal might also understand the wisdom behind his father’s approach, and become more accommodating of differing political opinion.