- And the dice is loaded
As the last year ended, the pundits were widely predicting that the PML-N would once again sweep the elections albeit with a smaller margin. On January 2, as if out of the blue, 14 MPAs in Balochistan Assembly presented a no confidence resolution against PML-N’s chief minister. Who was behind the move remains a matter of conjecture. Soon after things started happening which nobody could have predicted. The developments over the next three months have turned the crystal balls hazy.
The half a dozen extra hawkish PML-N leaders who were on the offensive against the SC on a daily basis have suddenly piped down or have reduced their appearance on the TV channels. This has happened after the SC took action against Nehal Hashmi. The “iron grams” have suddenly turned pulpy. Being an insider, Nawaz knows the dice are loaded against him this time. The section of the PML-N under his influence still wants to turn the election campaign into an agitation against the SC verdict which disqualified Nawaz Sharif. Another section opposes confrontation with the institutions. How the party sorts out the differences remains to be seen.
Even the doves in the PML-N have been put on notice. Many look at the advent of Khadim Hussain Rizvi, who is wanted by an Anti-Terrorism court in 14 different cases, as an extra-constitutional check to ensure good behaviour on the part of the Punjab administration. A sit-in outside Data Darbar has gone on for two days and Rizvi has announced its extension to other cities if his demands are not accepted. Will the Punjab law minister outfox the cleric as he did the Pir of Sial?
During the last two months three PML-N MNAs and two of its MPAs have joined the PTI. Some more are expected to follow suit. But there is still no stampede to leave the party. The PTI is looking forward to the arrival of the interim set up when it hopes for more desertions from the PML-N. It appears that the invisible guiding hand is leading all towards a hung parliament.
