PPP has turned into a shadow of its former self
Bilawal Bhutto is the only PPP leader after Zardari who commands the loyalty of the party. In a situation where the PPP is under pressure and Zardari is unlikely to return anytime soon, the young Chairman is required to steer the party out of the crisis. Some of the party’s central leaders are facing cases initiated by NAB while a number of others fear arrest. Meanwhile the party itself is in a bad shape. The jiyalas have either been pushed out or have left the party out of frustration. There have also been a number of desertions. The factors combined together have turned the PPP into a shadow of its former self.
The first phase of the Local Government elections will begin at the end of the next month both in Sindh and Punjab. In Sindh, which remains the only stronghold of the party, a number of provincial leaders and activists have either left the country or decided to lie low for the time being. The provincial leadership is under pressure on account of corruption probes. Taking benefit of the situation the PTI is trying to make inroads into the PPP’s constituency.
In Punjab, the party is totally rudderless. The lacklustre provincial leadership enjoys little influence over its workers. Despite making efforts Zardari failed to curb the rampant factionalism in the party’s Punjab chapter. Many look up to Bilawal to revamp and energise the party.
After Bilawal returned from abroad in early June, PPP Punjab leaders expected him to camp in Lahore. During the last three months he has only been to Islamabad once where he met leaders from Punjab and KP. Bilawal has not made any tour of Sindh either. Two reasons limit his activities. First, he is yet not authorised by Zardari to take major decisions on his own. Second, there are genuine concerns about his personal security. The prospects for the PPP under the circumstances do not look bright, at least for the foreseeable future.
