Mirza’s support to PML-N may put PPP in trouble

KARACHI: After Dr Zulifqar Mirza’s declaration regarding his support to the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) Sindh President Ismail Rahoo in by-election of Badin provincial assembly seat, the Pakistan People’s Party could face a tough time and might lose this seat, believes the independent observers.
An election tribunal on April 10, while de-notifying the results of PS 59, ordered re-election on 37 polling stations out of total 120 of PS-59, Badin-V on May 13; the seat was won by Pakistan People’s Party candidate Mohammad Nawaz Chandio in the May 2013 general election. Mr Chandio’s victory was challenged by his rival PML-N candidate Mohammad Ismail Rahu.
Dr Mirza said that he will support PML-N candidate and will effort with full sprit for his victory as he done for his son Hasnain Mirza and wife Dr Fahmida Mirza. Looking on the results of PS 59 from 1985 to 2013, five times PPP candidate remained successful but with low margin except the results of 1988 elections when PPP candidate Dr Ismail Odhejo won the seat with heavy margin and in general election of May 2013, PPP candidate Nawaz Chandio declared successful with a margin less then 2000 votes.
But this time, situation is not in favour of the PPP candidate as after the cancellation of results of 27 polling stations where by-election has to be held, PML-N candidate Ismail Rahoo had lead of 6,000 plus votes and support of Dr Mirza will increase his strength.
The Provincial Assembly constituency PS 59 falls under the two National Assembly seats with major portion in NA 225 from where Dr Fahmida Mirza, wife of Dr Mirza, elected in general election 2013 and some small portion in NA 224, where from PPP candidate Dr Kamal Chang succeeded.
Out of 27 polling stations, where re-election has to held, 27 stations came under NA 225 (Fahmida Mirza constituency) said to be the strong hold of Dr Mirza.
According to the previous results of PS 59, from 1985 to 2013 in 8 general elections, Ismail Rahoo won this seat two times in 1990 and 1997 and his rival Nawaz Chandio also won two times in 2002 and 2008, and PPP won five times and present PPP candidate Muhammad Nawaz Chandio defeated two times Ismail Rahoo two times in 2008 and 2013 elections and one time Mr Chandio defeated Husna Rahoo, sister of Ismail Rahoo, in 2002 general election.
Senior Analyst and columnist Saeed Jamali told The News that on the said 27 polling stations, the position of PML-N candidate Ismail Rahoo is strong, and he has two other plus points as he has now enjoying the lead of 6,000 votes and support of Dr Mirza.
Mr Jamali was of the view that PML-N candidate will win the seat easily.Like Mr Jamali—Ashfaq Memon—senior political worker of Badin also confident about the PML-N candidate’s position and said that poor performance of PPP’s Sindh government will also affect the position of PPP candidate.
PPP candidate Muhammad Nawaz Chandio told The News that he is confident to win the seat as according to him PPP has support of masses and he has won the seat for three times.Mr Chandio said Dr Mirza’s support to the rival candidate could not make big difference.