Jam Kamal’s nomination as Balochistan CM creates rifts within BAP, PTI

QUETTA: The nomination of Balochistan Awami Party (BAP) leader Jam Kamal as the chief minister of Balochistan has caused internal bickering in BAP and its coalition partner PTI’s provincial chapter.

BAP secured 30 out of 50 general seats in the Balochistan Assembly after getting support from Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI). Hence, the party got a simple majority to form its government without support from other parties.

In a press conference held on Tuesday, Jam Kamal’s candidacy for the CM’s office was also endorsed by PTI leader Jahangir Tareen, who said that “PTI supports him as a strong candidate for Balochistan CM”.

However, Kamal’s emergence as the front-runner for the top ministerial job in the province did not sit well with former Balochistan CM Abdul Quddus Bizenjo and Jan Jamali, both of whom are now lobbying to grab the seat for themselves.

When asked about PTI’s endorsement of Kamal, Bizenjo said, “We want BAP to make decisions in Quetta rather than Bani Gala.”

A BNP-Mengal leader said that “Jamali along with Nawabzada Tariq held a secret meeting with Sardar Akhtar Mengal, the chief of Balochistan National Party (BNP)”.

BNP and MMA members also met in Quetta to discuss future strategy in the aftermath of BAP’s electoral victory.

BNP leader and MPA-elect Sanaullah Baloch said that his party hopes to form a “coalition government with MMA (Muttahida Majlis-i-Amal) and other political parties”.

The MMA has eight seats in Balochistan Assembly, while BNP has seven.

The Hazara Democratic Party and Awami National Party, who were thought to be natural allies of the BNP, have also declared their support for BAP.

Meanwhile, the PTI Balochistan chapter has reportedly expressed its reservations over the nomination of Jam Kamal as the chief minister.

Sources said that the PTI provincial leaders have conveyed to Imran Khan that they should have been taken into confidence on the issue before making the announcement.

The PTI chief is now expected to meet the disgruntled provincial leadership of his party in Islamabad to address their concerns.