KARACHI, Feb 8: Although the Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) had lost the National Assembly seat, NA-250 Karachi-XII, in the 2002 general elections by a close margin to the Muttahida Majlis-i-Amal (MMA), the MQM looks all set to win it this time.

Enjoying a massive vote bank in most other constituencies of the city, the MQM has ensured its victory in the by-election being held on Saturday by convincing its coalition ally, the PML-Q to withdraw its candidate, Halim Siddiqui, in favour of the MQM candidate. Moreover, the ARD has failed to field a consensus candidate for the seat, creating a situation favourable for the MQM candidate.

Halim Siddiqui enjoys much support in this constituency which is evident from the fact that he was elected twice in the previous elections defeating Qazi Hussain Ahmed of Jamaat-i-Islami and M.A. Jalil of the MQM.

Some quarters observe that quite a small number of voters in this constituency comes out to cast vote in general elections and may show even less interest in a by-election. But considering the MQM’s ability to mobilise people through its active workers at a short notice, besides its well-embedded vote bank in the pockets of Burnes Road, Pakistan Chowk, Delhi Colony, Gizri and Saddar areas, it may be predicted that the party has a fairly good chance to win the seat.

The MQM has a history of good performance shown in by-elections whenever held in the city.

The main contestants for the seat are Akhlaq Hussain Abidi of the MQM, Nafees Ahmed Siddiqui of the PPP, Raja Arif Sultan Minhas of the MMA and Saleem Zia of the PML-N.

The independent candidates are: Amber Raza Nancy, Eng Abdul Aziz, Prof Abdul Qadir Shaikh, Javed Ahmad Chattari, Zulfiqar Ali Qaimkhani, Syed Rashid Ahmad, Ghulam Mohyuddin, Fauzia Ejaz, and Mehfooz Yar Khan.