Political Confusion – Why?

By
Jehangir Bader
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106
264

Confusion and Discord Spell Trouble for the Country

 

Political practice in Pakistan has developed several problems in the organisational working of the political parties as well as of the democracy. The real problem is that the old, established and wealthy ruling class does not wish to give up their special privileges by allowing all citizens to share in governance.

 

The role of political parties is very essential to every state – whether it is democratic or dictatorial. We know that even in Facist and Communist dictatorships, the party is a supreme organ of the State. It is the party organisation and control of party caucus that determines the government after success. So, in every system the political parties or a party play an important role. You cannot channelise and generate the atmosphere, the loyalties and the emotions of the people without a well-organised party.

 

After the issue of ‘Panama leaks’  the conduct and behaviour of the incumbent government and opposition are both creating chaos in the people’s minds – both are found confused in the developed atmosphere. The impression reveals that they are ill-organised and without any discipline as if they’ve lost sense of collective wisdom and decision making. Also there is no coordination within their respective party ranks and file in such crucial time. The members in the parliamentary of each party are giving statements on the same issue in two polarised directions. There is no check on wrong interpretations made by the MP on media or their statements are giving contrary impressions than spoken by their leadership.  Certain undisciplined political actors have spread anarchy in the political party’s rank and file about what is right and who is wrong.  They may not be feeling in the same terms as people feel because in governance often vision is changed and one feels closer thing at a distance and distance things closer for them to catch.

 

Recently, the leader of the House, Prime Minister Mian Nawaz Sharif while in the National Assembly gave the most important speech of his life, and had almost half of his strength in the house sitting and listening to him despite how little they love to sit on these chair for most of the time. That he would have peaceful environment during his speech was not assessed by his fellows in National Assembly. After his departure, the slumbering opposition aroused to beat the bush. This time there was a need to raise slogan from official benches, “Qadam Barao Nawaz Sharif, Hum Tumaray Sath Hain” and there was none when he did in the past. This time he managed the things and seemed to understand that such things happen on rainy days. Therefore his solo management of politics and his recent visit to London (and maybe to USA) is because of his unorganised party void of picking the burden of crisis which is a part of politics in Pakistan after every few years.

 

The leader of the opposition in the National Assembly, Syed Khurshid Shah, confessed in an interview that whole opposition is confused on the Panama Leaks issue. He’s right – because the opposition in parliament is a group of leaders of certain parties lacking coordination with their respective party organisations to discuss the issues. That’s why joint stand of opposition is confused. Same is with the government benches – having no recourse to their rank and file for proper consensus making. There aren’t regular meetings of any party to deliberate consensus for a way out when crises emerge. The people have noted the walk out of the Chairman Senate as lack of coordination. This confusion on important issues is dangerous for the smooth running of the democracy long.

 

There is, undoubtedly, a gap in political lie without an active, well organised party and there is no party found in this political sense in Pakistan. The visit of Nawaz Sharif was a mixture of medical check up and individual effort to find out solution while abroad. It’s evident that his party have failed to keep poised between him and the people (including his opposition) to find a solution. He failed to present a formula for conflict resolution and his party. He only placed repeated instances. The politicians look divided and bamboozled because of their parties lack of coordination factor within and with the different section of the society in the absence of effective organisation required. Their door to create consensus seem to be left unutilised.

 

A solid rank and file makes the party monument of stability. There’s plenty of talent in this country but painstaking efforts have to be made to discover and recruit it. Those faithful and loyal to the party have to station in the responsible positions. The youth must have its say, and the labourers and the peasantry. The manner of recruitment of party members is also a factor.

 

A political party must organise itself into an efficient and competent machine, study the national temperament, needs of the people, values and cultures, and then formulate universally acceptable principles and a philosophy. It’s a colossal undertaking and must therefore be approached with sagacity and tact, with vision and determination. Maurice Duverger says: “ A party is not a community but a collection of communities, a union of small groups dispersed throughout the country and linked by coordinating institutions.“

 

The continuation of the present style democracy would jeopardise the achievements of the people who struggled for it. We understand that on account of our backwardness, on account of unscrupulous practices, on account of political immaturity, it was possible for these people to play havoc with the sentiment of the masses.
It is indeed sad to observe that the PPP has not organised itself according to the requirement of the modern nation while in power. Then it had the resources to organise itself on a national plan. Why it didn’t, baffles many people.

 

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106 COMMENTS

  106. A second time, something wrong with the comments set-up. Coming to the article. Looks like Mr Jahangir Badar has been sidelined by PPP and PPPP. ZAB's PPP is burried with him and what we see today is a woman with two husbands. Both sailing in rough waters. He is not clear about PML(N) either. In Pakistan, the parties are surviving on 'first come first served' basis. Faryal Talpur was collecting funds for PPP but now sidelined too. The belief that owning a political party is like owning a Gold-mine – at least as far as PPP and PPPP is concerned. Come 2018 and Jumma Bazar for 'auction' of party tickets will be the name of the business.

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