- The bankruptcy of the mainstream parties
The PML-N and the PPP have spelled out their tentative stands regarding the choice of the new Senate Chairman. The PTI too is likely to take a position soon. There is need on the part of the three mainstream parties not to fall hostage to the 15 independents.
The PML-N has currently the largest vote bank in the Senate. With 33 PML-N senators in the upper house and the party’s three allies commanding 14 votes, the PML-N needs only six senators to get its nominee elected in a House comprising 104. The PPP has 20 senators and needs the support of 33 more to achieve the goal. The PTI has the hardest task at hand as with only 12 senators it needs the support of 41 to ensconce its nominee in the Chairman’s seat.
Every party is concentrating on the 15 independent senators. To get their support, the major parties will have to cater to their demands even if these are highly irrational.
The PML-N had volunteered to support PPP’s Raza Rabbani as a joint candidate as he had earned the reputation of a consensus builder while navigating the 18th amendment as well as during his recent captaincy of the Senate. By accepting the offer the two parties could have saved themselves from the blackmailing of the independents. The suggestion was however rejected out of hand by Zardari on the flimsy ground that any coordination with the PML-N would weaken the PPP in Punjab. Rabbani is capable of garnering support from across the political spectrum which may not be the case with any of the candidates whose names are being mentioned. Those feeling confident with the numbers they believe are under their control may have to face embarrassment.
What is needed is an independent, enlightened and experienced Senate Chairman who can keep the increasing differences between the institutions within manageable limits. He should be able to strengthen the Parliament at a time when it is getting weaker by the day. In the interest of the system, the PPP and PTI should accept the PML-N’s offer.