Fida Hussnain Lahore
Although there is no impressive buzz and fervor about the fast approaching general elections as it used to be in the past, some areas reflect just the banners of the candidates who are relatively reluctant to face the inflation-hit angry public.
The huge banners, flexes and posters of leaders from different parties have been displayed in different parts of the provincial capital.
However, the PML-N which believes Lahore as its stronghold has not been seen that much active as it used to be in the past elections. The pictures and banners of Nawaz Sharif have been displayed at different places but the door to door campaign has not been launched yet. Similar is the case of the PTI whose leaders say they are facing many challenges in their way.
However, the PPP is comparatively active as Bilawal Bhutto addressed a workers’ convention in NA-125 and met different leaders. It was a good start for the PPP but many believe that there was not that much buzz and fervor as it used to be in the past.
The political pundits believe that this election is quite different from the past elections as there is visible division in the voters and supporters of the political parties.
In NA-117, the election fervor, however, reached its peak as political banners and flags decorated the streets, alleys, markets, and intersections of the area.
As many as nomination papers of 38 candidates have been accepted, including prominent political figures for NA-117. The banners and flags of candidates including Mian Azim Yasin from PML-N, Asif Hashmi from PPP, Ali Ejaz Gujjar from PTI, and Malik Saif-ur-Rehman from Tehreek-e-Labbaik have been prominently displayed.
Likewise, from PP-145, candidates like Samiullah Khan from PML-N, Rana Iftikhar Ali from PPP, Muzaffar Malik from Jamaat-e-Islami, and Mian Manib Tariq from TLP are actively participating in the electoral campaign. From PP-146, Ali Gujjar from PTI and Ehsan Khan Amanay from PML-N are in direct competition. The voters in NA-117 expressed that inflation is the main issue that needed urgent resolution.
The nomination papers of 38 candidates from NA-117 have been accepted, featuring prominent figures such as Sardar Ayaz Sadiq, Ataullah Tarar, Mian Azim Yasin, Ghazali Saleem, Abdul Aleem Khan, Abrar-ul-Haq, Asif Hashmi, and others.
Similarly other constituencies like NA-125 and NA 127 provided glimpses of the PPP leaderships, especially Bilawal Bhutto. The TLP have also displayed banner pictures and posters of the party leaders in various constituencies.
“We are not having that much buzz ahead of this election as we used to have in the past,” said Ali Jahangir, a resident of Bilawal Gunj. He said that the public is worried due to sky-rocketing inflation while the parties and their leaders are reluctant to interact with the voters.
“Nobody has come to ask for votes so far, and it is quite clear that the election has arrived,” he said, highlighting the difference between the situations of the upcoming elections and the elections of the past.
Another citizen said, “Public is angry and the people are not ready to trust any leader, though Imran khan and his party have an edge over others,”.
‘But nobody is coming to us to ask for voters. We are hearing door to door campaigns but nobody is daring to come to us,” he added.
