More tests for PPP
Asif Zardari remains confident about his party’s present political position since, according to his latest interview, control of the Sindh government and Senate are proof enough of its potency. Yet he was forced to accept the breakdown in Punjab. Perhaps that explains his rather passive than usual body language. The ‘jewel in the crown’ – as his interviewer referred to the province – must be troubling the co-chairman as PML-N government’s tenure runs its course. In hindsight, standing by democracy at the time of the dharna crisis might have done the PPP about just as much good as the ruling party. Who knows who would have taken advantage of the void in Punjab when PPP was still struggling from the ’13 election fallout?
There are, of course, enough precedents to back Zardari’s claim of the PPP backing the democratic process to the hilt. That makes it easier for the leadership to play down the election threat. For now they are deflecting probing questions by playing around the process. That is why Zardari comfortably said they would do (in Punjab) what they have always done; swing into action around campaign time and accept the people’s verdict, even if it’s in favour of another. But deep down he knows that losing more ground in Punjab means being written off at the centre for far longer.
Significantly, while he did admit that different factors – including dictators, biradri system and worker discontent – were at the centre of the problems in Punjab, he did not seem to have a viable solution. Already he has tried, twice, to come here and solve problems himself. He has even played the Bilawal card, but to no avail. With things in disarray, his remarks about certain military officials could have been better timed, even though he continues to insist they were misinterpreted. With time running out, Zardari sb cannot afford to take his eye off the ball, especially since Bilawal has yet to assume complete leadership of the party. He must, therefore, restructure the party immediately, and then remove internal discontent before moving to present a manifesto for the future.