A Close Game: Why Imran Khan’s opponent deserves attention

Constituency Profile – NA-122

With the PTI’s Kaptaan, Imran Khan pitted against the PML-N’s underdog, Sardar Ayaz Sadiq, the NA-122 is a unique constituency witnessing a fast-paced campaign, suggesting that a close fight is in the making.

The stakes are much higher for the PTI, and Khan appears pretty confident of defeating the ‘N’ on May 11. In 2002, Imran had lost to Sardar Ayaz Sadiq.

“Losing here means taking a pasting in the Punjab”, commented one local politician. Aware of the implications, the PTI’s juggernaut is running on full throttle in this constituency. Deployed in the constituency are two well-known party personalities, Aleem Khan and Mahmood-ur-Rasheed. Well-versed in local politics, they are managing Imran Khan’s campaign, and they are backed by an overwhelming number of foot soldiers, the volunteers, campaigning door-to-door for their supremo.

Though Imran is facing the person who vanquished him in 2002, but that was another time, another country. There is a sea change, and Imran is on the crest of a wave and is confident of eclipsing the two established mainstream parties, the PPP and even the PML-N in the Punjab. Given Imran Khan’s stature now, with his appeal soaring, it should be a cakewalk for him. His double blockbuster at Minar-i-Pakistan in a year reflected overwhelming support and goodwill in his native Lahore – once the ‘N’ bastion.

It is an urban constituency that now has parts of what was before NA-94, NA-95 and NA-96. Touching Ichhra one the one side and Garhi Shahu from the other, it includes areas like Baja Lines, Mayo Garden, Zaman Park, and ample part of Canal Bank, Shadman, the GOR, Shah Jamal, Rehmanpura and Samanabad.

With the predominating demographic the urban middle class, where Imran and the PTI are popular in the extreme with their mantra of change, this is where he should bag votes in big numbers.

To his credit, Sardar Ayaz Sadiq is apparently not overwhelmed by the Imran Khan phenomenon, and he is by no means irrelevant. This speaks volumes about the potential of the ‘N’ candidate who has to his credit two consecutive wins from this constituency (in 2002 and 2008). This factor has flummoxed the political analysts, and a close contest is being predicted.

Sardar Ayaz has a number of advantages even when he is going up against the superman of the PTI. It is a constituency with strong PML-N vote bank. The previous contests here have been easy pickings for the ‘N’, for it has won here in five elections on the bounce – in 1990,1993,1997,2002 and 2008.

Ayaz’s politically efficacy grants him popularity here. He is the man who remained in contact with his workers and locals throughout the last five years, enabling him to strengthen his position over and above the party vote bank.

This is also an area where biradaris have historically played an important role. The Arains constitute the biggest followed by the Kambohs. Today, Sadiq is the undisputed leader of both these biradaries. By virtue of his family background he is well-connected here too.

The PTI has a strong presence in this area, probably more than anywhere else. There are party offices at every nook and corner, packed with party enthusiasts campaigning round the clock.

Ayaz is also trying to match the presence of Imran Khan on the ground. The other day he opened 36 offices in a day – all signs of a lively contest building up.