MIANWALI, Oct 7: With general election around the corner, voters do not show any enthusiasm. The middle or lower strata of society seems to be least interested in the polls as, according to a number of people, they do not believe in their ‘false’ promises. “None of the politicians could bring any change in the area.”

Candidates, on the other hand, do not hesitate to perform cheap gimmicks to allure people. A candidate has acquired a lion to attract people. Another candidate who has the government backing, promises jobs for unemployed educated youth. In spite of all these tactics, the election campaign could not gain momentum in the district.

The district was politically dominated, in various eras, by Khans of Isakhel and Piplan, Maliks of Wan Bhacharan, Themeywali and Nawab of Kalabagh, Amir Abdullah Rokhri and Maulana Abdul Sattar Khan Niazi. With the passage of time new generation of these families emerged on the horizon. The new faces entered in the arena are Obaidullah Khan Shadikhel, Dr Sher Afgan Khan and Joyas of Piplan.

Mianwali came into limelight during Gen Ayub Khan’s era with induction of the late Nawab of Kalabagh Malik Amir Muhammad Khan as governor of West Pakistan. He is still remembered for his strict discipline and command. But after his tragic death, his sons failed to play their role in the local politics. Their feudalist habits kept them involved in enmities with Kalabagh estate inhabitants.

During his heyday, the Nawab of Kalabagh had Maulana Abdul Sattar Khan Niazi and Advocate Amanullah Khan Niazi (uncle of Imran and Inamullah Khan) as his opponents. Maulana Niazi was widely acknowledged for his piousness and thunderous voice and even still remembered today. The Maulana was a beacon for the JUP workers.

After the death of Nawab of Kalabagh, his crony Amir Abdullah Khan Rokhri parted ways with the Kalabagh family and made his own identity in the local politics. The Rokhris were dominating the local and national politics till a few years back when they suffered setback at the hands of newcomers in politics. Despite this, they had their identity in the area and had the ability to dominate the local politics again. In the 1997 elections, the PML-N swept the national and provincial assemblies seats. The Rokhris and Dr Sher Afgan faced humiliating defeats and were ousted from the local politics. But, instead of losing heart, they kept struggling and remained in contact with the people in their respective constituencies. Their strategy will certainly pay them in the coming elections. On the other hand, the winners of last elections failed to keep contacts with voters and are now in dire straits.

During local body election last year, Gul Hameed Rokhri (PML-QA) and Dr Sher Afgan (PPP) surprised the political pundits by joining their hands by forming an alliance. They had been foes for many years because Dr Sher Afgan started his political career to the resentment of the family of Nawab of Kalabagh and Rokhris. However, their alliance resulted in their victory of district Nazim and Naib Nazim slots. A few days before the announcement of election schedule, they again jolted the local politics by parting ways with each other. Anyhow, they are contesting elections.

The PML-N which swept the 1997 elections, will be lucky enough to get a single seat here. Their stalwart Inamullah Khan, former MNA, though, is working hard these days, he is facing results of his constant absence from here. During the last elections, PML-N was supported by religious parties, but this time, MMA candidates are sharing his votes.

Mianwali district has two national and four provincial assemblies seats. The number of registered voters is 620,008. The Election Commission has increased the number of polling stations to 573 and established 1,591 polling booths and appointed 5,343 personnel for election duty. A tug-of-war is going on between 37 candidates on these six seats.