Gulf between Swabi ANP factions widens
SWABI, June 24: Differences among the Awami National Party leaders in Swabi have further widened and the provincial ANP leadership will have to come forward to resolve the crisis, inside sources say.
One of the groups is led by former MNA Haji Rehmanullah and the other is headed by former district general secretary of the party Jehanzeb Khan and other likeminded leaders. “It is a fight between the two heavyweights and the final victory might be clinched by Rehmanullah,” an insider told Dawn here on Friday on condition of anonymity.
Sources said leaders of the two groups had already met with the provincial leaders and apprised them about their differences. However, the sources said that the provincial leaders adopted “wait and see” policy.
On the other hand, the Jehanzeb group is also worried about the current drive of the ANP to bring in new faces to represent the party at different levels. According to the group, the registration copies have only been given to Mr Rehmanullah that means majority of the new ‘tapa’ leaders would belong to his group. But Mr Rehmanullah denies the allegation and says the membershipdrive is for all.
Sources said the leadership of the party wanted to enroll new faces who could work for strengthening the party with a new zeal.
Meanwhile, Aman Khan, a former district general secretary and member of the Khudai Khidmatgar family, is poised to make a comeback, sources said. Mr Aman was expelled from the party soon after the 2008 election on the charges of working against the party interest in the elections.
When contacted, Ghulam Hassan, former nazim of Maneri union council who also left the party after Mr Aman expulsion said:
“Yes he is poised to rejoin the party along with other supporters.” When contacted, district information secretary, Mohammad Rashid, also confirmed Mr Aman’s return to the party fold.— Correspondent