After local elections in Karachi and Hyderabad divisions were postponed three times during the last six months, the provincial government has finally been forced to hold local elections on January 15 in the light of court orders. However, this time too Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) and People’s Party have used strong tactics to postpone local body elections.
However, due to the court’s decision, the People’s Party has responded by postponing the elections further to the MQM leadership despite its desire. Now, according to the schedule issued by the Election Commission, the way has been paved for the holding of local body elections in sixteen districts of Karachi and Hyderabad division on January 15.This time in Karachi, Jamaat-e-Islami is likely to give a tough time to PPP and Tehreek-e-Insaf, while in Hyderabad; a thorny contest is expected between MQM, PPP and Tehreek-e-Insaf.
Jamaat-e-Islami has practically been reborn in the political arena of Karachi and the credit goes to the dynamic leadership of Jamaat-e-Islami, especially the Ameer of Karachi, Hafiz Naeem-ur-Rehman. After a long period of silence in the political arena, the way Hafiz Naeem-ur-Rehman has become active on the local body elections and the issues of Karachi, he has not only breathed a new spirit into the Jamaat, but also attracted a large number of youth to his side.
The increasing popularity of Jamaat-e-Islami has scared not only the PPP but also the MQM, due to which both the parties have been repeatedly trying to postpone the election and this time also on the order of the court compelled to hold the election. Whereas, after removing of Imran Khan as Prime minster, the PTI has also come to a better position. On the other hand, Tehreek-e-Insaf has also mobilized to cash in on the popularity of Jamaat-e-Islami and in this regard, the series of backdoor contacts continues. Tehreek-e-Insaf wishes that they enter the elections by forming an alliance with Jamaat-e-Islami like in the past. However, this time Jamaat-e-Islami looks set for a solo flight.
It should be noted that Tehreek-e-Insaaf and Jamaat-e-Islami jointly contested the local body elections in 2015, but this alliance faced a crushing defeat from MQM. But the situation is different now, with the MQM, the winner of the 2015 elections, looking out of the race after suffering from poor performance and a process of division. If this happens, it will be a big surprise in Karachi politics.
According to observers, the vote bank of MQM is going to be divided between Tehreek-e-Insaaf and Jamaat-e-Islami. In the past, Jamaat-e-Islami and MQM have got the post of mayor three times. But the special thing about Jamaat-e-Islami period was that in 1979 and 1983 MQM did not exist and in 2001 MQM boycotted the elections. This time MQM, Jamaat-e-Islami, Tehreek-e-Insaf and People’s Party are prominent political parties in the race. And all these parties will make all possible efforts to win the local elections.
Last Sunday, Jamaat-e-Islami, Tehreek-e-Insaf and PPP had demonstrated their public power through rallies and meetings. In this demonstration of public power, Jamaat-e-Islami also had the upper hand and gathered a large number of men and women in Bagh-e-Jinnah. However, successful rallies are an essential element in electoral politics, but not the all.
The results of the by-elections in Karachi have also reinforced the idea that the people of Karachi are becoming disillusioned with all the political parties and becoming indifferent to the electoral process. The local body election to be held on January 15 will actually be an election of political parties, whichever political party is able to fully mobilize its organization and workers, it will rule Karachi.
