Who is behind the PTI forward block in Punjab?
Who is behind the PTI forward block in Punjab?
20 member block can cause serious problems
The power
politics in Punjab has taken a new turn as PML-Q on one hand and group of disgruntled
MPAs within PTI has come out openly to press their demands. It seems that new
power struggle has begun in Punjab. The pressure is mounting on PTI led coalition
government in Punjab. The Chief Minister Punjab Sardar Usman Buzdar is also
under pressure to improve his governance.
The
different powerful groups In PTI is trying to outmaneuvered each other to gain
the upper hand. They believe that game is almost over for CM Punjab Usman
Buzdar. They believe that despite throwing his weight and support behind Usman
Buzdar publically- PM Imran Khan is not happy with him. It might take some time
before he was formally removed and replaced with someone more active and having
better image than Buzdar.
Many people
are guessing that who is behind the forward block of 20 MPAs and what is the real
purpose of this group. There is no straight forward or simple answer of this question.
The reason is that lot of things are going on behind the scenes. There are two
possibilities- one- Usman Buzdar himself has formed this group to put pressure
on the leadership not to replace him as CM Punjab or he asked PML-Q to form
this group to foil the attempt to remove him.
PML-Q wants
to keep Usman Buzdar as CM Punjab because of his weak political position.
Chaudhrys of Gujrat is fully backing Usman Buzdar to keep away a strong CM
Punjab within PTI ranks. PML-Q is vying to increase its influence in some
districts. It needs weak CM like Usman Buzdar or CM slot for Ch Pervez Elahi. PML-Q
is eyeing for the CM slot. They are waiting for the right time to outmaneuver PTI.
The position of PML-Q is clear- Usman Buzdar or Ch Pervez Elahi as CM Punjab. Chaudhrys
of Gujrat are smart movers in Punjab politics.
Imran Khan looks desperate to improve the
image of Punjab government. He has empowered the chief secretary Punjab to improve
the governance. But he knows the dangers of replacing Usman Buzdar immediately.
He knows well that there are many powerful groups within the PTI who wants to
get the CM slot in the case of change.
The already
existing fractures within the party might get out of control and create a messy
situation for PTI. PTI knows that it needs the support of PML-Q to maintain its
narrow majority in Punjab assembly. If any forward block emerge in the party
and side with opposition PML-N and ally PML-Q then number game can change.
Imran Khan is trying to avoid this scenario. That is why Usman Buzdar is still
hanging around.
Usman Buzdar
is feeling the pressure that is mounting in the PTI. Federal minister Fawad
Chaudhry has openly question the performance of CM Punjab. PM Imran Khan is not
seems satisfied with his performance and negative media image. So Usman Buzdar
is trying to save his position and he might have encouraged the disgruntled MPAs
to form a group to get fund released for legislatures.
Many PTI
MPAs are not happy that they have been denied the funds for their
constituencies. So 20 MPAs of the ruling PTI in Punjab Assembly had
categorically threatened party senior leadership of creating a forward bloc
within PTI if they are not issued development funds.
At a time
when the party is facing immense resentment from the coalition partners, the
rift within the ranks of PTI came as a blow to the CM, whose performance is
already being questioned.
The
disgruntled MPAs are saying that the people elect their representatives so that
they can undertake development schemes in their respective constituencies but
despite passage of one-and-a-half-year, we have not been able to do anything
due to non-release of uplift funds.
The group
consists of members from both Central and South Punjab. Most of MPAs Central
Punjab belongs to district Jhang and Sargodha. The development fund is
important issue for elected representatives as they make promises with people
to undertake development work in their areas to get votes.
The MPAs are
under immense pressure from their constituencies to kick start development work
and provide jobs. Both are not being done so far. This pressure will mount as
the time pass through. This is another factor behind this grouping of MPAs.
They are using the frictions between PML-Q and PTI to press their own demands.
Such groups
can play destablising role in a fragile situation. Anyone can use such groups
for its own interests. The game has started. Usman Buzdar will everything for his
survival.
The PML-Q is
a key coalition partner in Punjab critical for the PTI coalition government to
sustain its majority in 371-member provincial assembly of Punjab. The PTI-led
coalition is leading the Punjab Assembly with 191 members including 10 PML-Q
MPAs, with a lead of only 5 members against 185 required for a simple majority.
So the group
of 20 MPAs become king maker in that sort of situations. This group can put PTI
in serious trouble.
“If the 20 MPAs of PTI opt for creating a
forward bloc, the party will be in serious trouble," said a senior PTI
leader who wished not to be named. Even more MPAs can join this forward block.
The situation seems serious for PTI.
Khalid Bhatti
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