The dominant political force reliant on Jat clan in Punjab, Chaudhry brothers of Gujrat, suffered an unexpected political set back on Wednesday as the Election Tribunal declared former federal minister and younger brother of Chaudhary Shujaat Hussain, Chaudhry Wajahat Hussain, ineligible to contest the next month's parliamentary elections.
The tribunal disqualified the PML-Q leader for standing in election for National Assembly seat, NA-104 Gujrat, for not being Saddique and Ameen (truthful and trustworthy) under Article 62 and 63 of the Constitution. Wajahat's old rival, Nawabzada Ghazanfar Ai Gul, a PPP stalwart, had filed an appeal in the tribunal against acceptance of his nomination papers by the Returning Officer.
Wajahat was elected as member of the National Assembly for the first time on ticket of PML-Q in 2002 general elections. He previously served as chairman of the District Council, Gujrat. Previously, he was also elected as member of the Punjab Assembly in 1988, 1990 and 1997 elections.
It may be noted that despite seat adjustments elsewhere, PML-Q and PPP failed to reach an agreement on two seats of Gujrat, NA 104 and NA 105, as candidates of both the parties are contesting on these seats to prove their dominance in the district politics. NA-105 (Gujrat city-Kunjah) is the most keenly contested seat in Gujrat. Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain won this seat five times. Chaudhry Ahmed Mukhtar is his old rival, who has won this seat twice since 1990. This time Chaudhry Pervez Elahi is contesting on this seat against Chaudhry Ahmad Mukhtar.