SWABI, Dec 25: Amidst growing wheeling and dealing, political parties in the district have stepped up their efforts to keep their leaders and workers from switching loyalties to protect their electoral interests.

Over the last few weeks, political groups saw departure and arrival of many. And there is a greater likelihood of many more doing so.

On December 16, some of the ruling Awami National Party’s (ANP) disgruntled members joined Pakistan People’s Party-Sherpao (PPP-S), while the rest led by former district nazim and ex-ANP district general secretary Jehan Zeb Khan is to announce future course of action in a public meeting on January 2.

PPP-S considers entry of ANP leaders and workers a big accomplishment, especially after their provincial leader, Jehan Zeb Bahadar, and former MPA Jan Bahadar joined Pakistan Tehrik-i-Insaf along with scores of supporters.

ANP claims its former district information secretary, Mohammad Rashid, is not part of the group led by Mr Jehan and former provincial general secretary Salim Khan and will never change loyalties. It also insists Younis Bacha, Fakhar Zaman and Jan Alam have also refused to join PPP-S.

There are also reports of the members of the local influential Tarakai family, which has own political group, Awami Jamhoori Ittehad Pakistan, joining PTI.

Observers say the party, which succeeds in roping in the family, will politically gain a lot.

Former district nazim Shahram Khan Tarakai, however, rubbishes such reports, saying the family wants to strengthen own party instead of thinking about joining other political groups.

In the district, PML-N recently successfully wooed former provincial vice-president of PML-Q Sajjad Khan to join it.

Later, provincial president PML-Q Amir Muqam brought in influential ex-civil servant Naeem Bahadar Khan.

Reports are also making rounds about Mr Sajjad trying hard to convince Mr Muqam to join PML-N.

Observers say if Mr Muqam joins PML-N, then district president PML-Q Ghafoor Jadoon will follow suit.

Mr Jadoon was expelled by PML-N after he turned approver against provincial chief minister Sardar Mehtab Khan over the wheat scandal.

When contacted, he refused to offer comments and said: “Don’t talk about my position or party. I belong to Muslim League.”

Religious parties, especially Jamaat-i-Islami and Jamiat Ulema-i-Islam-Fazl, have also managed to rope in many PML-N and ANP activists and leaders. They are also reported to be in contact with other disgruntled workers and leaders of these and other parties.

PML-N, PPP, PML-Q, JUI-Sami and regional parties are also holding corner meetings to please discontented members.