NA-97 Humayun Akhter boosts poll campaign amid political parties infighting

FAISALABAD: The Infighting in the ranks of two main political parties has further cemented the political position of Istekham-e-Pakistan candidate Jehnagir Khan Tareen in NA-97.

PMLN has nominated Ali Gohar in the constituency. However, Ayesha Rajab, who is widow of Gohar’s brother and former member NA, Rajab Ali Baloch, has announced to support PTI candidate Saad Ali Baloch instead of her brother-in-law.

Interestingly, PTI candidate Saad Ali Baloch is also facing resistance from his party’s leader Zulfiqar Ali Watto since PTI had nominated Watto as party’s candidate for NA-97 in the first place but replaced him with Baloch after couple of days. Both of the PTI leaders are claiming to be the PTI’s candidate for NA-97. The situation has divided PTI voters into two groups and both of them are campaigning for their respective candidates.

Similarly, Ali Gohar is also facing division in PMLN as well as community voters in the wake of opposition from his sister-in-law Ayesha Rajab Ali.

In addition, Pakistan People’s Party candidate Nadeem Shahadat also hails from Baloch community and he may not emerge as strong candidate due to division in Baloch community’s voters.

In the given scenario, IPP candidate Humayun Akhter Khan is the beneficiary of the situation and his position is getting stronger day-by-day. He is focusing on improving neighborhood and lives of the people of his constituency in his election campaign, which is making him popular in all communities and sections of population.

Political circles believe that given the strong position of IPP candidate in the constituency, the leading candidates from the same community are worried as they are facing the questions as why they failed to bring about change in the constituency despite coming to power through changing political parties for last couple of decades.