ISLAMABAD: There is no mass exodus from the Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) to join the nameless political party launched by its former Karachi mayor Mustafa Kamal led dissidents although they are gaining one by one.
It is quite possible that even the dissenters might not have hoped or expected any simultaneous large-scale desertions from the MQM. Although the MQM is under tremendous pressure due to a variety of reasons, it has so far proved to be a unified and cohesive force, and has not fallen like a house of cards. It is largely maintaining its unity despite the fact that Mustafa Kamal is speculated to be not a free agent.
Until now, there is no surprise entry in the new band and a predominant majority of those who have jumped on its bandwagon were at a distance from the MQM since long. But still they were associated with it.
All the seven leaders, who are now part of the new force, had been important MQM stalwarts at one time or the other and had been holding key positions. They had also been confidantes of Altaf Hussain and had been associated with his questionable activities.
Great credit that Mustafa Kamal’s rebellion deserves is that his undertaking has ended the atmosphere of terror and dread in the MQM to a large extent. Previously, it was not thinkable for many in the MQM to quit it, knowing the dire consequences for such initiative.
Although MQM chief Altaf Hussain is in Britain for over 24 years, everyone in his party has been extremely scared of him and none ever considered saying goodbye to him by openly rebelling against him. He had been giving to and taking away critical positions from the newfound rebels and others alike.
What is clear and before everybody is that the new group that has been formed to challenge the MQM comprises seven leaders, but what is not known is that how many workers and activists it has weaned away from their parent party. The unnamed faction is yet to show its strength at the public level.
The sponsors of the new party may be satisfied that their gains – collection of seven leaders – are impressive that they got in just 19 days. But certainly they need more and more till the time Altaf Hussain is left alone in the MQM.
The focus of attack of Mustafa Kamal and Anees Qaimkhani at the time of the launch of their entity was Altaf Hussain. Everyone, who joined their ranks afterwards, also harped on the same theme. Thus, the script everyone read out was similar. This strengthened the widespread perception that the current efforts are aimed at implementing the minus-one formula, excluding Altaf Hussain from the MQM.
Bolstering the attack on Altaf Hussain, Anees Ahmed, advocate, said: “You are not in a condition to lead the Mohajirs and have no such right. I wish him a long life and see with my own eyes that the ground is crumbling around his feet.”
Apparently, most of those who have shifted to the side of Mustafa Kamal had not suddenly decided to switch loyalties after the announcement of the new party although they want everyone to believe that it was not their premeditated decision but was taken after the former mayor picked up the courage to come in the forefront. It is believed that they were in touch with its founders for quite some time and were regarded as the disgruntled elements of the MQM. The crisis in the MQM was brewing up for quite some time, which was underpinned by the attitude of several of its leaders to remain on the sidelines either of their own accord or due to the direction of the party chief.
Anees Ahmed said, “I mentally joined this group three years ago and I was waiting for the day when the locks on people's tongues would break and they would speak openly. I left the MQM on May 19, 2013. I was among those who believed the wrong thing was happening. The international secretariat can attest to this. I said, 'This is the final nail in the coffin. You have ruined your party’”.