NA-56 (Rawalpindi) has become centre of attention as Pakistan Tehrik-e-Insaf (PTI) Chief Imran Khan jumped into the fray against Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) two-time winner Mohammad Hanif Abbasi. The constituency, comprising entirely of urban population, has 312,220 registered voters and is bracing for a tough contest between Imran Khan and Hanif Abbasi on May 11, however, Pakistan People's Party (PPP), Jamaat-e-Islami (JI), Jamiat Ulema-Islam-Fazal (JUI-F) coupled with some independent candidates are also flexing their muscles.
JI's candidate Raza Ahmad Shah is not too far behind in the race and may give tough time to PML-N and PTI. The JI with its die-hard supporters has launched an effective election campaign in the constituency whereas the two potential political candidates from PTI and PML-N are yet to organise any mammoth rally in the area.
The reason behind the delay in campaigning by PTI and PML-N is the result of a well orchestrated strategy: to change the entire game plan at the eleventh hour when one party is over with the rally the other will jump in so that the former can be countered more effectively.
Hanif Abbasi won from the constituency in 2008 by bagging 73,433 votes however the political cheeseboard is entirely different this time around. Analysts argue that the reason behind Abbasi's victory in 2008 was mainly due to support of religious political parties as he had joined the band wagon of PML-N after his parent party JI boycotted the elections.
But now that the religious parties are back in action and are vigorously campaigning for the upcoming general elections Abbasi cannot expect any support from the religious parties especially JI. In 2002 general elections, Abbasi won from the platform of Muttahida Majlis-e-Amal (MMA) - an alliance of hardcore religious political parties - but 2013 elections will gauge the strength of the PML-N in the constituency.
Another factor which could adversely affect the PML-N vote bank is the controversial ephedrine scandal, which is still hanging like the sword of Damocles over Abbasi's head and the case is still pending before the apex court. However, the development projects amounting to billions of rupees undertaken by former Punjab chief minister Shahbaz Sharif in NA-56 give hope to the party that people will support PML-N in the area. Abbasi's prospects are also improved by the distribution of laptops and solar lamps among students in the city.
The sources in PTI revealed that the decision was taken to field Imran Khan from the constituency with the sole purpose of defeating rival PML-N in its stronghold. They said the PTI was hell-bent on giving PML-N a tough time from the constituencies where the party was upbeat of being victorious. The PTI has no development projects to its credit, but its slogan of change and 'New Pakistan' has attracted a large number of voters especially the youth. According to analysts, the prospects of a clean sweep by Imran Khan in the constituency can not be ruled out as he enjoys immense popularity among masses.
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