SWABI: The electoral alliance between PML-N and Qaumi Watan Party for the local government elections in Swabi district could last for six days only, insiders say.

Sources in the two political parties said that when the question of awarding tickets to candidates in the key union councils came, the PML-N sought a lion’s share, while the QWP leaders were not ready to give up in their strong areas like Panjpir, and Swabi Khas union councils. Leaders of the two parties also accused each other of burying the alliance.

The sources said that the leaders of the two parties had announced an alliance without discussing their strong and weak electoral areas in the preliminary phase. They said that when the question of awarding tickets and filing of nomination papers came they started pulling each other’s legs.

ANP likely to make seat adjustment with PML-N

When contacted, Mohammad Jamil, central leader of QWP, said that they had now advised their party candidates to file nomination papers from their party platform. “Our activists filed their nomination papers at the last moment,” he said.

A PML-N leader said that the two parties failed to accommodate each other’s demands and instead of parting ways in the middle it was better to take a decision of separation in the beginning.

Other sources said that the ANP was entering into seats adjustment with PML-N in some areas. However, it is not yet known what would be the reaction of its two alliance partners, Jamiat Ulema-i-Islam-Fazl and Pakistan Peoples Party.

“We will support the PML-N candidates in some areas and they would back our candidates in other union councils,” said an ANP leader.

‘ALLIANCE TO FAIL’: The candidates of Awami Jamhoori Ittehad Pakistan said on Saturday that the tripartite opposition alliance forged against their coalition would face defeat, as there was a great difference in policies and approaches of the three parties towards various issues.

Addressing various gatherings here, AJIP’s central general secretary Biland Iqbal and others termed their coalition with Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf and Jamaat-i-Islami a real alliance because the leadership of the three parties could also accommodate each other.

“We (AJIP) alone dominated the last two elections in the district. Now when we have two strong partners it would be quite easy to defeat the already defeated people and their leaders,” said Mr Iqbal.

Meanwhile, Insaf Students Federation (ISF) district president Shahzada Fahd said on Saturday that youngsters would play a key role in May 30 local government elections and they had the strength to defeat the heavyweights.

He said that those who dominated the political landscape in past should keep in mind that politics was not their property. He said those who could deliver should lead the people.

Published in Dawn, April 19th, 2015

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