MQM-Pakistan in turbulent seas as two prominent leaders bow out

The Muttahida Qaumi Movement-Pakistan (MQM-P) suffered turbulence from the outset of its political campaign in Hyderabad on Sunday as prominent leader Ali Raza Abidi reiterated his decision to part ways with the party, while reports surfaced that another leader Kamran Tessori had also resigned, citing differences with the leadership.

MNA Abidi, who resigned from his seat NA-251 last month over MQM-P’s alliance with the Pak Sarzameen Party, which was formed last month and broke within 24 hours, announced his decision on Twitter on Sunday to not withdraw from his stance because the party leadership had failed to address his reservations.

Meanwhile, according to reports, deputy convener Tessori has also distanced himself from the party owing to his tussle with the senior deputy convener, Amir Khan, who is said to have been leading a relatively stronger group than Tessori’s, within the party.

According to sources, some senior leaders of MQM-P had serious reservations about Tessori’s dramatic rise to the top tier in the decision-making coordination committee of the party in a short period of time. They are said to have been mounting pressure on party chief, Farooq Sattar, against him.

However, when contacted, Aminul Haque, spokesperson for MQM-P, refuted that there were any groups within the party and claimed ignorance of Tessori’s reported resignation from the party. “He could not make it to Hyderabad due to his health,” Haque said, adding that Tessori had recently been discharged from the hospital.

Tessori suffered a “mild heart attack” mid-November, according to the party, and was admitted to a private hospital where he stayed under treatment and observation for more than two weeks. Party leaders who had been visiting him said that he looked quite weak.

Despite attempts, The News could not establish contact with Tessori to take his version. Abidi, meanwhile, told The News that the party leadership had pledged to address the concerns he had raised when he resumed his political activities because his resignation remained pending with the National Assembly speaker, but they had failed to do so. “I had categorically said that I would not stay if any kind of alliance is made with the PSP,” he said.

He added that he believed the PSP was a political wing of the military establishment and does not have credibility among the masses. “[And] by entering into an alliance with it, we were legitimising its presence and, in the eyes of the voters, stooping to the same level,” he maintained.

“My family and I think that they [party leadership] cannot address my reservations… and it is better that I should make the decision,” he said. “I don’t want to be part of any lobbying to see a specific person or group in the driving seat.”

“I wish them [MQM-P] best of luck,” Abidi said, quitting the party. MQM-P’s immediate reaction to Abidi’s statement was not available till the filing of the story. Meanwhile, the entire MQM-P leadership was in Hyderabad on Sunday to initiate their campaign to mobilise the public to attend its December 8 gathering at Akbari Ground.

Addressing a press conference there, Farooq Sattar vowed that the upcoming rally will make history in the second largest urban centre of the province. This will be the first public gathering of the party since August 22, 2016.