GUJRAT: The local cadre of PML-N stands divided into three groups in the race for Jhelum district council top slots, each pitching its own panel for the chairman and vice-chairman positions.

The split surfaced following the ruling party changed its decision of bifurcating the four-years terms of both offices for each of the candidates being backed by two PML-N MNA’s from the district.

The ruling party ticket for the Jhelum district council’s chairman slot was later awarded to a dark horse, Hafiz Ejaz Janjua.

Annoyed by the decision, the previously announced PML-N candidate for the chairman slot, Raja Qasim, announced he would contest as an independent aspirant.

At a press conference at Dina the other day, Qasim showed his numerical strength by presenting at least 28 members of the Jhelum district council before the media.

Raja Qasim reportedly enjoys the backing of the Nawabzada Raja Matlub Mehdi, who has been elected as an MNA in the recent by-elections on a seat got vacated after the death of his father, Nawabzada Iqbal Mehdi, a veteran legislator and PML-N old guard in the district.

Another PML-N elected chairman Irfanullah Butt is already in the race as an independent candidate for the slot.

However, the PML-N ticket holder, Mr Janjua, who has also been the district secretary general of the party’s Jhelum chapter, has won the support of its district president Chaudhry Muhammad Boota Javed and MNA Khadim Hussain Garmala’s group.

Mr Janjua’s brother is the caretaker of a politically influential shrine near Islamabad and because of this connection has a very close association with Federal Finance Minister Ishaq Dar who, according to party insides, played a pivotal role in securing the ruling party’s ticket for him (Janjua).

The Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) has fielded Mirza Jamshed, a UC chairman, as its candidate for the slot, whereas Malik Mushataq, another UC chairman, is the party’s choice for district council vice-chairman slot.

Jhelum district has total 59 members, including 44 elected chairmen and 15 others who got elected against reserved seats.

Published in Dawn, December 18th, 2016