A number of constituents in NA-55 said that a neck and neck competition is expected between PML-N and Sheikh Rashid.—APP photo.

Though various political parties have fielded their candidates for the seat, a tough competition is expected between PML-N and Sheikh Rashid.

NA-55 was the seat of PML-N, which fell vacant following the resignation of former MNA Haji Pervez Khan after the examination scandal.

Political observers believe that the examination scandal of former MNA Haji Pervez caused embarrassment to PML-N and party supporters in Rawalpindi.

On the other hand, the Pakistan People's Party (PPP) that had scored maximum number of votes after PML-N in the 2008 general election, is not taking part in the by-election and so far the PML-N has not succeeded in getting support from the party's local chapter.

Sheikh Rashid is believed to have succeeded in getting covert support from PPP leadership—a deal already denounced by Opposition Leader in National Assembly and PML-N stalwart Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan.

That is why the PML-N is aggressively pursuing its election campaign in the city after losing support from PPP at a time when the Jamaat-e-Islami (JI) and Pakistan Tehrik-e-Insaaf (PTI) that had boycotted general election, are also in the field.

A number of constituents in NA-55 interviewed by Dawn said that a neck and neck competition was expected between PML-N and Sheikh Rashid. However, nobody was sure as to who is going to win the seat.

While Sheikh Rashid trumpets the uplift projects in Rawalpindi, the PML-N's candidate Shakil Awan and other leaders accuse him of changing political loyalties and siding with the killers of Lal Masjid.

The PTI has already started membership drive in Rawalpindi city and the JI's Dr Kamal and other party leaders are trying to win people's support through anti-US speeches and slogans and criticising the incumbent rulers for taking dictation from the US.

Former JI leader and MNA Mohammed Hanif Abbasi has been made as election in-charge by PML-N in a bid to win the support of his JI's voters after PTI's candidate for the by-election Ijaz Khan Jazi quit PML-N along with his supporters.

The city roads have been flooded with massive display of campaign posters and banners which indicate the intensity of election fever prevailing in the populous Rawalpindi city.