The N in PML(N)

But of course

Everyone knows how the party election cookie crumbles in Pakistan. That Mian Muhammad Nawaz Sharif won his party’s top slot in the elections the other day sprung no surprises. Even though there isn’t much party democracy in any of Pakistan’s mainstream political parties, it is the PML(N) that wears its lack of it on its sleeve. Consider: the Bhutto family is firmly in control of the PPP but for purposes of appearances, its co-chairman could argue that even an ordinary activist could challenge him and take his place; and there were, recently, some small voices of dissent. In contrast, imagine how silly, how surreal, would an anti-Nawaz faction look vying for control of the PML-Nawaz. Considering changing the name?

Having said that, it has to be admitted this shortcoming within the parties is vastly overplayed by the anti-politician narrative. The line – slapstick, really – that every military dictator uses after coming into power: since there aren’t any elections within the parties, there won’t be any elections in the country either!

No one holds a gun to the head of leaders within the political parties to stick with their party leadership. Within democracies, nascent ones specially, the more important aspect is who the end voters themselves approve of.

The concept of political dynasty has been turned into some sort of evil that cannot be negotiated with. In reality, it is these very dynasties that serve as points of focus and have enough of magnetism that keeps activists and voters enthralled during the dark days of military rule. It would not be unreasonable to posit that without the dynasties, the embers of democracy wouldn’t have been hot enough to revive every time this tinpot or that leaves. Given enough time, the pressures of an uninterrupted democratic process would force the current party leaders to cede way to activists.

On the “new” PML(N) leadership: they have their work cut out for them. With the PPP having cut a deal with the Q and the Chaudhrys having more realpolitik constituency-to-constituency skills than most of the N League put together, there is much to be done before the next elections.

As Makhdoom Javed Hashmi’s explained in his meandering drawl after being elected to the executive council, it’d take more than mere “principled politics” to match Asif Zardari’s skills.