Both the PTI and the opposition stand exposed after the Senate office bearers elections on Friday. The PTI has won both the slots but has proved that it lacks the high moral standards expected from those claiming to create Riasat-e-Madina. After announcing that they would win the elections despite not possessing the required numbers, the PTI used all the dirty tricks at the disposal of a ruling party to change the loyalties of seven PDM Senators. This explains the victory of the PTI’s nominee for the office of the Deputy Chairman Senate. The placement of hidden cameras to discover who voted for whom was a violation of the SC ruling in favour of a secret ballot, besides being morally an inappropriate act. That these actions could not have been taken without the knowledge and permission of the PTI leadership demolishes the PM’s holier-than-thou façade.
The opposition has emerged weaker after the Senate vote. The government’s victory has ensured the PTI’s control over the legislative agenda. While the opposition was gloating over its numerical superiority in the Senate and the success of its strategy to get Mr Yousuf Raza Gilani elected, it has been administered a humiliating blow through the loss of the slots of the Chairman and the Deputy Chairman. It should be all the more embarrassing for Mr Gilani and Mr Bilawal Zardari Bhutto for their early claims about the neutrality of the establishment in the Senate polls. Whatever led the seven Opposition Senators to vote against Maulana Abdul Ghafoor Haideri, it would be risky for the PDM to count on the support of all its Senators in any future show of strength. The plans to table no-confidence moves against Punjab CM Sardar Usman Buzdar or in the National Assembly against PM Imran Khan will have to be shelved for the time being. Unless the PDM agrees on new tactics, it will be left with nothing other than the long march.
A major defeat invariably causes demoralisation among the losing side. In case of an alliance being trounced, it can take the shape of mutual recriminations between partners. There are already signs of the process having begun. Unless the PDM manages to control it, its defeat could turn into a rout.
