Will the party be able to reclaim its lost glory?
PPP Co-Chairman faces an uphill task. In the last elections the PPP was reduced to Sindh. After two years there still seems to be no end to the party’s woes. During the elections for the Cantonment Boards the party was unable to put up candidates on all seats in several big cantonments including Lahore and Rawalpindi. The party’s performance was dismal as it succeeded in winning only 7 seats compared to PML-N’s 68 and PTI’s 43. The results spread a wave of discontent among PPP workers and leaders all over the country.
The rally at Lyari was a show of strength aimed at dispelling the impression that the party had lost its vote-bank. Lyari being the PPP stronghold, it was not difficult to collect a large and highly charged crowd. As the PPP rules Sindh, Zardari could also offer a hefty development package to the people of Lyari and order the Chief Minister to fulfill their demand for the provision of potable water within three months.
The rally has raised expectations and generated hopes among the PPP workers. Zardari’s promise to go to other provinces as well as to AJK and Gilgit-Baltistan has further added to expectations. The questions that remain unanswered are whether Zardari can create a momentum and whether he has the energy and the right message to infuse a new spirit among his demoralised workers and leaders. While preaching reconciliation among political forces, will he be able to bring back the disgruntled leaders and workers of his own party and put an end to infighting between rival groups within the PPP?
Many workers in Punjab believe that the party can retrieve its lost ground only if Bilawal is willing to lead them. Soon after Bilawal was launched, he was suddenly recalled. Zardari later made it known that the Chairman would be brought back only when he has achieved sufficient political maturity. In case of Bilawal’s continuous absence Zardari will have to spend most of his time in Punjab. Is he ready for that?
