MQM’s victory confirms Azizabad constituency its real bastion of power

ISLAMABAD: The convincing victory of the Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) in Thursday’s by-election in Karachi confirmed beyond an iota of doubt that the votes it secured in this constituency in 2013 polls were absolutely genuine, reflecting people’s mandate accorded to it.
Had there been higher turnout or at least what it was in the general elections, its candidate would surely have bagged the same number of or maybe even more ballots.The MQM proved that the Azizabad constituency, where its headquarters Nine Zero was located, was its real bastion of power.
Considering its popularity in the area that was stamped once again, some of the tactics, including ransacking of the Karimabad election office of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) and other violent actions during the campaign, indicated its peculiar strong-arm mindset, which needs to be forsaken. It has been and is punished for this policy.
Undoubtedly, it was a difficult by-election for the MQM as this time it was not on the right side of the establishment like the past. It faced heavy odds. Especially recovery of hardened criminals during the March 11 Rangers raid at the Nine Zero and the subsequent confessions of some of the accused, admitting heinous crimes, video statement of death row prisoner Saulat Mirza etc., were highly damning for it. It was never under such tremendous pressure. But despite all this, a predominant majority of the electorate voted for it. Everybody needs to accept its mandate open-heartedly.
A question that often comes up to many minds is as to why the MQM is always accused of target killing and other bloody mayhem in Karachi when it is in reality popular as was witnessed on Thursday. It is required to take solid steps to dispense with this widespread perception, which is not divorced from reality. No institution or individual has any objection if the MQM functions as a political party but none approve its activities that spawn chaos and anarchy, rocking by Karachi. This is a lesson that the MQM ought to learn.
The statement of Sindh Rangers Director General Maj-Gen Bilal Akbar that the result of the by-poll showed that his force was not a threat to any political party was apt and correct. At no stage, did the paramilitary force try to impede the MQM mandate but it ensured that there was no bullying and hanky-panky. This was its prime duty.
The Rangers deserves credit for organising the most peaceful and orderly by-election. The force prepared and implemented an excellent plan to ensure that the exercise is totally smooth.
The MQM’s impressive win consigned to dustbin the allegation of Nabil Gabol that it had massively rigged the election to this seat in 2013 when he was its candidate.In 2013, the MQM nominee had clinched 137,874 votes while its representative now got 95,644. Previously, the turnout was 51.63 % while it was 37.4% now. In case of growth in voter participation, its total would have also gone up proportionately.
High-sounding rhetoric of the PTI apart, analysing its position with the same yardstick, it too would have hiked had there been upsurge in the turnout, and it appeared that it would have touched its previous number of votes. This time, the PTI had got 24,821 votes as against its earlier tally, 31,875 ballots.
In the 2013 polls, the PTI had challenged the MQM in Karachi. But more important was its decision to confront the MQM in the by-election although its nominee and workers faced violence at the hands of their rivals.
However, credit goes to the PTI as well for making a significant contribution to the bid to eliminate the atmosphere of fear and intimidation, created by the MQM, in Karachi. An unprecedented beginning towards this end had been made by the Rangers and law enforcement agencies during the targeted operation.
The PTI’s embarrassing defeat with a colossal margin showed that its protracted sit-in produced no dividends for it in Karachi contrary to its claims that the protest tremendously added to its vote-bank and popular appeal. It needs to work much more and of course positively to add to its popularity graph instead of agitation every now and then.
The Jamaat-e-Islami had got 10,321 votes in this constituency in 2013 while it now secured 9,056 ballots. It gained as it would have crossed its previous tally had the turnout jumped up. A general perception that the Jamaat-e-Islami would stand second in the contest proved incorrect.Unquestionably, the by-election was most fair and free, and it needs to be taken with this spirit. The PTI’s noise is misplaced and illogical.