Senate chairman’s post: Political maoeuvring among PML-N, PPP, PTI at its peak

PESHAWAR: Following the allegations of alleged horse-trading in the recent Senate election, Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) and Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) are striving to seek support of other political parties and independent senators to get the position of Senate chairman.

Both the parties have started approaching the smaller parties, former allies and the independent Senators to muster their support.

Using the situation to their advantage, the small groups and independents are also putting up some conditions. The next two days are crucial for settling old scores.

The Senate polls would have far-reaching impact on the forthcoming general election. In the given scenario, the PML-N seems to be in a better position to win the Senate chairman’s office.

The N-League would face no difficulty in enacting laws of its choice in case it gets hold of the Upper House of Parliament. However, if it failed in its bid and lost the chairman’s slot it would substantiate its narrative of being victimised and targeted by the hidden hands.

It is apparently difficult for the PPP to get the support of at least 33 senators. PPP Co-Chairman Asif Ali Zardari has lost the opportunity to earn praise for his party by rejecting Nawaz Sharif’s offer of reelecting the outgoing Chairman Raza Rabbani.

Even if the N-League loses the chairmanship it would earn sympathies of the public and would humble its arch rival Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI).

Imran Khan’s move to join hands with Asif Ali Zardari would exonerate PPP from corruption charges and put the PTI in trouble.

Critics said that in such a scenario it would be difficult for Imran Khan to justify his anti-corruption agenda and make it an election slogan.

The PPP-PTI alliance in Senate could result in a win for both the parties for the time-being but it could be harmful for Imran-led party in the general election, particularly in Punjab.

Going through the results of 2013 general and bye-elections for national and provincial assembly constituencies in Punjab it would be no exaggeration to say that PPP has already lost its vote-bank to a great extent and PTI might lose credibility in the aftermath of any alliance for the Senate’s chairmanship.

The PTI has already suffered a setback in the Senate election and its members’ alleged vote-selling has sent a wrong message to the society.

The deviation from its stance on fighting corruption would badly dent the party’s support base.

The PTI leadership for the time being has opted to stay away from those who were blamed for bad governance and corruption. However, its claim of change may vanish into thin air if the party joined hands with the forces of status quo.