An expected interesting contest among candidates of PML, PPPP, PML-N and JUI-F on National Assembly seat NA-25 of District Tank in NWFP is likely to change the political landscape of the once religious alliance stronghold.
The constituency has always favoured religious parties in the past but the political, social and economic developments in the province, where the six-party Muttahida Majlis e Ammal (MMA) was in power for five years, the swing of the pendulum in the district indicates a change of wind.
In the last general elections, Amir of JUI-F Maulana Fazlur Rehman won the seat, primarily by appealing to the religious sentiments in the wake of US led invasion of Afghanistan and the subsequent operations by Pakistani security forces in the adjacent South Waziristan Agency to flush out remnants of al Qaeda and Taliban.
Political allegiance in Tank district is traditionally influenced by nationalist, tribal and cultural affinities. Tank city is inhabited by the original natives from tribes known as Takochies, Bittani, Marwat, Jat, Kundi, Mehsud and Burki. The last two tribes are the natives of neighbouring SWA, but have settled in the district and formed a major chunk of votes in the area.
The votes are divided among residents of city, Bittani dominated villages, Jattatar and Kundi areas and tribesmen of SWA. Interestingly, in the last general elections, people of the city, Kundi areas and Jattatar sided with PPPP-backed candidate Dawar Khan Kundi, who came close to winning.
But the villages, which were dominated by tribesmen favoured MMA candidate Maulana Fazlu Rehman. Later, he left the seat and in the bye-elections his younger brother Maulana Attau Rehman emerged successful. This division in votes often makes things unpredictable.
The performance of MMA-led government in the province in general and the attitude of Maulana brothers towards uplift of the district, which many saw as lethargic, resulted in split among the ranks of the district party leadership. Opponents allege that the district leaders of MMA interfered with the functions of the government functionaries.
PPPP candidate Dawar Khan Kundi claimed there were a lot of what he called "hollow slogans" and little on the ground. He said civic conditions in the district remained pathetic.
Announcements had been made for construction of Tank Zam Dam, installation of drinking water tube wells, construction of circular road, establishment of education institutes, upgradation of rail, transport system and other development projects. However, not a single project was completed during the last five years, district President ANP Khan Gul Bittani said.
Political observers in the district saw a sharp decline in the popularity of JUI-F leadership, which nevertheless maintained it continued to enjoy people's support. Among fourteen candidates contesting on NA-25, PPPP's Engineer Dawar Khan Kundi, PML-N's Hizbullah Kundi, PML' Habibullah Kundi and JUI-F's Maulana Attau Rehman are considered strong candidates.
While on the sole provincial assembly seat, PF-69, a total of 19 candidates are in the run. Among them are PPPP's Mustafa Kundi, PML-N's Fahimullah, PML's Habibullah Kundi, JUI-F's Gulistan Bittani. With the return of former prime ministers Benazir Bhutto and Nawaz Sharif their district party leaders and workers are in high spirits and gearing up to give tough time to religious leaders.
On the other hand, the nationalist forces are flexing their political muscles. Habibullah Kundi of PML, former provincial minister and an old political stalwart and cousin of District Nazim Riaz Khan Kundi, is expected to giive tough fight to his rivals The law and order situation in the militancy-plagued district would also play an important role in the electoral arena of the district.
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