- What took wind out of PTI’s sails?
PML-N’s surprising performance in the by-polls has put all the rumours to rest — Punjab remains the bastion.
For detractors, PML-N is alive and thriving; and talks of a forward bloc seemed like a fable concocted by PTI, the ruling party that still thinks and talks like the opposition.
Another thing. In spite of relative unpopularity with the religious far-right, League regained its hold in Punjab, with Tehreek-e-Labbaik failing to make ripples, except in Chakwal with a runner-up candidate.
With 11 National Assembly and provincial seats each up for grabs in Punjab, League managed to secure four NA seats (two in Lahore) excluding five PP seats. PTI, though a frontrunner with overall 13 seats, could only bag two seats in the province, excluding Islamabad’s NA-53.
Many PTI voters failed to show up at polling stations. Its popularity is declining, at least in Punjab. This could be attributed to various reasons — nepotism in award of party tickets, U-turns and cosying up to religious fundamentalists.
‘Crowns do queer things to heads beneath them,’ holds true in case of PTI. Because everyone there has one. Two months on, and top PTI leadership has managed to piss off local party leadership in northern Punjab, especially Rawalpindi and Attock. It lost two of its safest seats in Attock.
‘Crowns do queer things to heads beneath them,’ holds true in case of PTI. Because everyone there has one
By-poll in NA-60, home constituency of Sheikh Rashid, surprisingly saw a neck and neck contest between PML-N’s Sajjad Khan and Sheikh Rashid Shafiq, nephew of Shiekh Rashid.
The result, which is contested by the PML-N nominee, declared PTI victorious with a wafer-thin margin of 1,000 votes. In contrast, Sheikh Rashid himself had bagged 117,719 votes compared to PML-N’s 91,000 during July 25 election.
PTI failed to lend an ear to its local leadership, given Imran Khan’s proximity with Sheikh Rashid — a considerably new friend with shared interests. PTI, at least, shouldn’t be surprised; vote loss was expected. After the award of ticket to Rashid’s nephew, a disgruntled PTI leader had said, “PTI Punjab North is misleading Chairman Imran Khan and has ignored old party workers and promoted Sheikh Rashid without merit.”
It is easy to win from Attock when you are in the government. Even Shaukat Aziz, the former prime minister, stood victorious on a seat vacated by daughter of Major Tahir Sadiq — a former mayor and MNA.
But the party did not even bother to retain NA-56. Tahir Sadiq was ignored, whose support was crucial, for petty interests. Lacking support from Sadiq, the party lost both NA-56 and PP-3 seats.
Though the party is in need of introspection, it still has not shied away from making tall claims. Fawad Chaudhry, the information minister, upfront denied any decrease in party appeal. “Imran was too busy, so we lost,” these words from an information minister should raise many an eyebrow; that PTI, a ‘national party’ has no organised local leadership. Electables do not build parties.
“These results are positive. Pakistan has expressed confidence in the leadership of Imran Khan,” Fawad insisted. However, a party statement held “internal rifts” responsible for the dip in popularity.
But the question remains; either PTI is losing appeal among people or it is bad at politics — both are bad. It is time for serious measures; the party won’t find ‘helping hands’ every time.
Basking in its glory PML-N supporters, on the other hand, celebrate this minor victory. They should, embattled as they are. PML-N got sympathy votes. Nawaz managed to turn his anti-establishment narrative into votes, after all. NAB’s incompetence helped; Nawaz got more popular. But conditions were not much different from July 25. NAB was hounding its leadership then, still is; PTI was the blue-eyed, still is; RTS reportedly failed both times.
In addition, League capitalised on a seemingly large anti-incumbent vote. Going by by-poll results, PML-N is making inroads into constituencies won by PTI — Attock, Faisalabad, Jhelum. Some observers think Nawaz Sharif is the vote puller; Shehbaz failed to deliver; and Maryam has further cemented her position in the party.
Speaking to media-persons outside court on Monday, Nawaz sounded self-assured. “The public came out and voted for PML-N despite sanctions on the party leadership. I was jailed, Shehbaz Sharif is in NAB’s custody and we all know how Khawaja Saad Rafique is being treated.”
After a significant drop in PTI’s popularity, it is time that the party makes amends and woo, not shoo, its disgruntled voters and leadership. People voted it to power, hoping the party delivers on its promises. Without delivery, its troubles will increase.
PML-N’s performance proves one thing: the party is still popular in Punjab with its anti-establishment stance, contrary to what Shehbaz and Co thought. It has done much better compared to the July 25 election, when Shehbaz led the charge.