Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) chief Imran Khan's inability to hold a political gathering in Rawalpindi on the last day designated for election campaigns may benefit Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) candidates in NA-55 and NA-56.
In an anecdotal survey conducted by Business Recorder, it is learnt that Imran Khan's presence may have played a decisive role in changing the whole game in the twin cities of Rawalpindi and Islamabad, particularly NA-56 from where he himself jumped into the fray to contest against PML-N two-time winner Mohammad Hanif Abbasi.
Imran Khan was scheduled to address a mammoth election rally in historic Liaqat Bagh jointly with Awami Muslim League (AML) chief Sheikh Rashid Ahmad today (Thursday) but he would not be able to personally address the rally due to the unfortunate incident in Lahore resulting in multiple injuries, which has forced him to take bed rest on the advice of his doctors.
The absence of Imran Khan is being felt acutely as the party had earlier chalked out a strategy that he [Imran] will address the election rallies in the twin cities after Nawaz Sharif. "Yes, definitely we will feel his absence, as the party workers were anxiously waiting to see him personally address a historic mammoth rally at Liaqt Bagh," said Chaudhry Asghar, who is PTI candidate for PP-14. He, however, said that morale of PTI workers is very high and the motivation that exists among the workers will translate in real terms on May 11.
PTI recently faced a setback after Pirzada Rahat Qudoosi parted ways and joined PML-N. Qudoosi had contested the previous elections as independent candidate and secured nearly 3000 votes from the constituency. Talking to these correspondents, Seraj Abbasi, chief organiser of PML-N election campaign at the constituency, claimed that Hanif Abbasi will win with a huge margin and make a hatric this time. He maintained that JI candidate will be the runner up followed by the PTI.
A number of candidates of other political parties are also in the run, prominent being Jamaat-i-Islami (JI) Raza Ahmad Shah and Pakistan People's Party (PPP) Asrar Ahmad Abbasi; but PTI chief Imran Khan and Hanif Abbasi of PML-N have emerged as the two strong contenders.
The city streets are dominated by a large number of banners, posters flags and portraits of the party leaders and candidates but it appears that the real battle will be between PTI and PML-N on May 11. For PTI workers, Wednesday was a prayer day for early recovery of the party chief, as a large number, including women, were seen offering prayers at the central election office of the party.
Workers were busy in making arrangements for Thursday's rally at D-Chowk in Islamabad, which is likely to be addressed by Imran Khan via a video link. PML-N and PTI have set up their election offices opposite each other at Rehmanabad, which affords ample opportunities for the supporters of the two parties to exchange barbs. According to witnesses, highly charged workers of the two parties were close to a serious brawl on Wednesday after the culmination of PML-N election rally at Liaqat Bagh which was addressed by the party chief Nawaz Sharif. The party workers of the two political parties gathered in front of their election offices and started shouting slogans against each other's leadership however, the conflict was avoided after the elders of the two parties intervened.
JI is also not behind in the race: the party has started a door-to-door campaign and corner meetings. It is learnt that JI candidate Raza Ahmad Shah is the only candidate who is personally visiting each and every home in the constituency. JI has a strong vote bank in Satellite Town and parts of the Sadiqabad area of the city, giving an edge to its candidate who himself has a good repute among the locals.