Be more practical in future
Imran Khan’s new beginning – his new marriage – had a nice ending to it, but it was not without its share of controversy, much like Khan’s brand of politics. In the first place, it didn’t help from him to deny what had already become public knowledge, only to accept it later. And secondly, it has highlighted, again, the PTI chairman’s habit of overriding sincere advice and pursuing with his own course, whatever the collective cost.
Things would have been less difficult for him, and his new bride, if he had not made controversial remarks earlier that later turned out not to be true. Indeed, there is chatter that the Jan8 ceremony was only for public consumption; the couple had allegedly married earlier, in November, but could not make it public because of sensitivity attached to the dates, and the fact that it was done privately and then denied. There was a similar blunder in his dharna drive. First, according to reports and party insiders, he went ahead with the dharna-till-the-resignation despite disapproval from some of his closest aides. And if it hadn’t been for the smart idea of taking the jalsa route – gathering crowds across the country – he might not have regained the initiative. And the long years of raising the party would have practically gone waste.
Perhaps there is a lesson in all this for Imran, or perhaps the new bride will be a more calming influence on him than determined, ambitious workers of the PTI. While it is heartening to see idealism driving politics, he must tone down a little on what he promises and become more realistic about the approaches he adopts. There can be no denying that his admirers, and political followers, continue to grow, or that he has influenced Pakistani politics like never before. But it is also true that of late he has been more eccentric than practical. So it’s time for a little maturity as well. He’s no spring chicken, after all.