Saad Rafique fails to bridge rift within PML-N
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QUETTA: Speaker Balochistan Assembly Jan Muhammad Jamali refused to withdraw nomination papers of his daughter for women seat in the upcoming Senate elections, despite efforts made by Federal Minister for Railways Khawaja Saad Rafique.
The Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) stalwart spent three days in Quetta to resolve differences among party leaders regarding the distribution of Senate tickets. However, he failed to convince Jan Jamali to withdraw nomination papers of his daughter Sana Jamali and support PML-N candidate Parveen Kalsoom instead.
Kalsoom remained a senator for six years on a Balochistan National Party-Awami (BNP-A) ticket, but parted ways with the party prior to the announcement of Senate elections' schedule.
Subsequently, the ruling PML-N awarded a ticket to Kalsoom, which angered BNP-A Chief Mir Israrullah Zehri who termed it the worst example of horse trading by a ruling party.
Jan Jamali enjoys the support of five legislators from the ruling PML-N, a leader of the ruling party, who declined to be named, told Dawn. "We cannot accept Parveen Kalsoom as our candidate," he said.
Thus, Jamali while talking to the media made it clear, "I will vote for my daughter as per my conscience".
An alliance of Pashtoonkhwa Milli Awami Party (PkMAP) and National Party (NP) can be the possible beneficiary of cracks inside the ruling party.
Rafique held a series of meetings with PML-N legislators to abridge the existing gulf among them. "We are trying to convince Jan Jamali," Rafique told reporters after meeting with Balochistan National Party Chief Sardar Akhtar Mengal.
The minister met with Baloch nationalist leader and discussed the Senate elections and issues relating to Balochistan. "Centre must accept us as first-class citizens," Mengal told reporters after meeting with Rafique.
"I wish we could do something for the success of BNP candidate in Senate elections," Rafique said.
Differences inside PML-N can lead to it losing a woman seat in Senate elections. It could also undermine its clear victory on three general assembly seats.
