Sarwar to run for PTI Punjab president

LAHORE

Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaaf (PTI) is likely to witness clear split in its ranks after Ch Sarwar, PTI provincial organiser, has announced contesting Punjab PTI president slot. 

Exactly a year ago, in the same month, Sarwar was serving as Punjab governor and after developing differences with the PML-N top brass, he had to resign from the office. Within a few weeks, he had joined the PTI and was made the organiser of Tehreek-e-Insaaf Punjab. On Sunday, while addressing a party convention, he announced contesting the intra party polls for the slot of Punjab PTI president, raising alarm for Ejaz Ch, former Punjab PTI president, who is also an aspirant for the slot. 

Ejaz Ch was elected PTI Punjab chapter president in the first ever intra party polls held in late 2012. The first intra party polls of PTI after it emerged as one of the mainstream political parties turned controversial following the victory of some affluent, former Musharraf loyalists and newcomers, who allegedly influenced the polls. The party faced split in its cadres and members like former Federal Minister Syed Iftikhar Hussein Gilani, Muhammad Khan Hoti, former district Nazim, Chakwal, Ghulam Abbas announced quitting the party. 

Just a few days ago, Ejaz in a press conference had appealed to the party not to allow anyone having less than three years association with the PTI. 

Sarwar compared to Ejaz Ch has spent a smaller span of time in party and just a year ago he was the representative of the PML-N government in the Governor’s House.

His announcement to contest for the slot of Punjab president has surprised senior leaders. Besides, sources stated that miserable performance of the PTI in recently held local government polls which were held on party basis may also bring Sarwar into a real test during the upcoming intra party poll which is likely to take place in the months of March and April. 

“I can wish him good luck, he is a respected person and I hold him in great esteem,” said Ejaz Ch, former Punjab PTI president. “I still stand by my statement that any person having less than three years of affiliation with the party shouldn’t be allowed to contest intra party polls,” said Ejaz Ch. However, he said that it was up to the party to decide who was eligible to contest the party polls. PTI Election Commissioner Tasnim Nurani when contacted stated the party EC would take all decisions in accordance with its constitution. He refused to comment on the announcement of Ch Sarwar to contest the intra party polls, saying things would get clear after the process of scrutiny of candidates was completed. Before that, he said it wasn’t appropriate to comment over any development. 

Earlier, Ch Sarwar while addressing the party workers stated there existed no clause that halted him from contesting the election for a party post. 

He said party Chairman Imran Khan had allowed him to contest the intra party election and he would contest for the Punjab president post. 

Sarwar on the occasion stated that PTI vote bank had doubled compared to 2013 general elections. He said PML-N Sardar Ayaz Sadiq from NA-122 would be disqualified soon because he had committed rigging in the by-elections as he committed rigging in the general elections of 2013. Sarwar said he was working alongside Imran Khan for the next general elections.

I can’t think of leaving the party, he said.