In the July by-elections in Punjab the PTI humiliated the PML(N) by clinching victory in 15 constituencies, while the PML(N) managed to win only four. Another competition awaits the two parties over the next few weeks on six seats. While the PML(N) ruled Punjab in July, this time the province is under the PTI-PML(Q) administration. The real threat to the PML(N) however comes from partychief Imran Khan who continues to attract crowds despite losing the government. The PML(N) has meanwhile suffered further slippage in goodwill on account of the negative impact of the policies dictated by the IMF on people’s livelihoods. This is reportedly affecting the morale of the PML(N) ‘s candidates, who want party Vice President Maryam Nawaz to campaign in their constituencies.
Mr Khan attracts crowds because he has a narrative that appeals to the youth. Khan maintains that his opponents have made money out of politics and acquired properties abroad that they did not possess before entering politics. He also maintains that his opponents follow dynastic politics where political offices are inherited rather than acquired on the basis of merit. Mr Khan meanwhile runs the PTI like a dictator holding no genuine inner party elections and maintaining secrecy about the sources of funds and their handling. The award of party tickets shows that he has no objection to the dynastic politics practised by some of the PTI leaders.
The PML(N) has no narrative to attract the masses. For a brief period the party relied on “Vote ko izzat do” (‘respect the vote’) which moved few outside the party circle and was soon abandoned. The party hopes that a campaign by Maryam Nawaz in the constituencies could be the best answer to Mr Khan’s populist rhetoric. As far as the general elections are concerned, even some of the PML(N) leaders admit that these can be won only if Nawaz Sharif is in the country to lead the campaign.
There are others who hope that Mr Khan would be disqualified by courts which would have a negative impact on the PTI’s campaign, leading to the PML(N) candidate’s victory. This reflects defeatist thinking. Deviations on the part of politicians considered dangerous can best be treated through public criticism. Disqualifying a mainstream politician from participating in politics or from leading his party needs to be shunned as it is likely to turn him into a martyr in the eyes of his followers.
