PML-N strong in Ravi Town

LAHORE
Pakistan Muslim League-N seems in the strongest position to re-establish its authority in the Ravi Town since 2001 when despite undergoing a turbulent time won major chunk of seats of total 34 Union Councils as well as the Deputy Mayor slot.
In the last two Local Government elections held in July 2001 and August 2005, the Ravi Town proved a battleground between PML-N and the PML-Q but in the 2015 polls, PTI seems the only major threat to the ruling party which could also clinch seats from some of the areas situated close to the Ravi Bed where Biradari (clan) factor, local grouping play a vital role.
PPP, which had pitched candidate on almost all Union Councils (between UC 1 to UC 14) in 2001 and 2005, seems in dire strait and may go empty handed this time owing to the serious organisational crisis it is facing. PML-Q, the ruling party of 2001 and 2005 has vanished completely and most of the Q-Leaguers, who quit Sharif brothers in their critical times have not only returned to the party folds but also eyeing for the slot of Deputy Mayor.
Ravi Town includes the areas, including Shahdara and its vicinities, Siddiqia Colony, parts of Misri Shah such as Habib Ganj, Farooq Ganj, Sultanpura, Chamra Mandi and almost entire walled city, including Rang Mahal, Bhaati, Lohari, Sheranwala, Circular Road and Delhi gate.
An interesting aspect related with the Ravi Town is the participation of two former MPAs, who were either refused ticket by party or couldn’t contest the 2013 general elections, including Qaiser Amin Butt and Chaudhry Wasim Qadir are testing their strength at the Union Council level. Sources stated the major reason behind their participation is their possible nomination for the slot of Deputy Mayor who will be elected in the second phase of the local government elections.
Qaiser Amin Butt, son of former Deputy Mayor Amin Butt and a once close friend of Khawaja Saad Rafique, another noted PML-N figure who also hailed from the walled city area had served as Nazim Ravi Town in 2002 when the seat fell vacant due to the murder of Aftab Asghar Dar. Aftab Asghar Dar was the only figure after Khawaja Ahmed Hassan who had the Town Nazim slot. He was assassinated in Naran in June 2002 after which PML-N pitched Qaiser Amin Butt who won the seat against Haji Hanif.
In 2003 by-elections held on PP-142, the seat vacated by Khwaja Saad Rafique who took oath in National Assembly, Qasier Amin Butt contested on PML-Q ticket and emerged victorious over Inamullah Niazi amid serious rigging allegations. He is a noted PML-Q figure who is contesting on PML-N ticket. Haji Mohammed Hanif, former President of PML-N Lahore chapter who joined the PML-Q in 2005 has been back in Nawaz-League and contesting from Union Council 35 which includes the areas of Lohari. He is another noted Q-Leaguer from Lahore who has been pitched on the symbol of tiger and contesting against Shahid Bilal of PTI.
Arif Nasim Kashmiri, former PPP Union Council Nazim from the area of Lohari in 2005 local government elections has joined PML-N and he is contesting from UC 34 where he also seems in a stronger position.
Former MPA Wasim Qadir, whose father late Chaudhry Ghulam Qadir is contesting from UC 31, which includes the areas, including Misri Shah, Faiz Bagh and has been challenged by Asim Mir of PTI. The PML-N candidates, including Mushtaq Mughal, Zaheer Butt, Tariq Sabri have also got elected councillors in past or Nazim in the previous LG polls. Although as per government claims, strict check has been maintained on the display or arms during the election campaign, yet, still most of the UCs falling under Ravi Town are sensitive from security point of view.
The UC 23 where the group of Bhinders is contesting against the ruling party candidates is no exception as it falls in the sensitive areas like Khokher Pind where clash among local groups have claimed number of lives in past.
The political activity seems the highest in the walled city, which is apparently areas of walled city seems the most colourful from political point of view as two major political parties, including PML-N and PTI have set up offices in large numbers.