ISLAMABAD - As the alleged support of some opposition parties to Shaukat Hayat Bosan could not bear fruit in the NA-151 by-election, the opposition parties considering it a matter of serious concern will soon start establishing contacts with one another to make a strategy for the upcoming elections.
Background interviews and discussions with the members of opposition parties reveal that no doubt some opposition parties fully supported candidate against Abdul Qadir Gilani, son of former prime minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani, yet the defeat of their contender proved an eye-opener and forced them to make a joint strategy for the upcoming elections.
“Though it was close competition but now without wasting time it should be the priority to make a joint strategy for the upcoming election,” said senior JUI-F leader Maulana Ghafor Haideri while talking to TheNation. He said that the recent defeat despite the alleged support of some opposition parties could help making a joint strategy, as only tall claims would not serve in the forthcoming elections.
JUI-F leader also raised concerns over seats in the constituency of Punjab, saying that all the opposition forces needed to reestablish strategy, as elections were not too far. “Those who claims tsunami and other forces need to work on jointly now,” Maulana Ghafor Haideri said, adding that JUI-F is ready to work closely with main opposition party (PML-N) but they should also take other small parties into confidence for future moves.
About recently held polls at NA-151 lection, he said in presence of new CEC transparency of this election could also be not easily be challenged.
Having almost same concerns, a member of other opposition party also took it is a matter of concern. Opposition parties should not considered load shedding, lawlessness in some area, and inflation as a big tool for their victory as joint strategy could be helpful for upcoming elections.
It is also relevant to mention here that opposition parties in and outside the parliament having difference of opinion on different matters are not enjoying much friendly relations. The dissimilar stance of opposition parties over holding general elections before time is also on the record as major opposition party in the parliament (PML-N) in NA has time and again called for snap polls but PTI opposing this idea never put weight behind this demand. The two major components of former religious alliance - Jamaat-e-Islami (JI) and Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam (Fazl) - which have been at loggers head, even had passed remarks against each other.
But despite this entire situation, Political pundits assumed that the victory of Abdul Qadir Gilani would not affect on upcoming elections, as it could not be considered as actual parameter. They also foresighted the opposition parties may bagged maximum votes in upcoming elections.
It is pertinent to mention here that in the recently held lections Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP)’s Abdul Qadir Gilani won by a margin of 4,096 votes, defeating Shaukat Hayat Bosan and winning the seat vacated by his father Yousuf Raza Gilani after his disqualification as the prime minister and member of the National Assembly. Abdul Qadir secured 64,628 votes, while Bosan, who was unofficially by opposition parties managed to bag 60,532 votes.