News
Wednesday, June 29, 2011
No joint opposition despite bridging of gaps between PML-N, MQM
* Members of MQM pleased by PML-N’s change in mood and willingness to put bitter past behind
By Tanveer Ahmed
ISLAMABAD: Treading the same path as far as AJK elections are concerned, Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) and Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) seem to be coming closer though joint opposition is still not an option worth discussing in the ranks of both the parties.
The recent elections in AJK have left both MQM and PML-N licking their wounds inflicted upon them by the ruling PPP that has been accused of rigging the polls and emerging as a single largest party in the legislative assembly.
MQM, a former ally of the ruling PPP in center and Sindh, quit the government on Monday in protest against what it called the government’s manipulation of election results in AJK, and termed it undemocratic and autocratic.
Although, members and office bearers of both MQM and PML-N appear cautious and are reluctant to give a clear reply to the question regarding the formation of a joint opposition, they are, however, in agreement over general problems confronting the masses.
PML-N’s change of heart towards MQM is also evident from the fast diminishing anti-MQM statements that were feature of the Pakistani politics before, and which have now been brought to a halt as agreed at a meeting of the PML-N’s top leadership in Lahore on Tuesday.
PML-N and MQM have had a bitter past, especially recently when both parties traded strong allegations against each other, and even sometimes resorted to bad mouthing and hurled personal attacks against each other’s top leadership.
“Technically, MQM is now an opposition party and after resigning from the ministries it will play its role as an effective opposition,” MQM’s spokesperson Wasay Jalil told Daily Times over telephone from Karachi.
“We will definitely take a common stance with the PML-N whenever the issues relating to masses surface,” Jalil said, and added that MQM had at least seen a sliver line in relations with the PML-N in the form of change in the attitude of party vis-a-vis MQM.
When asked about misgivings that marked relations between the two parties in the past, Jalil replied that whatever happened in the past was a matter of bygone days.
Jalil affirmed that the decision of the party to remain in opposition was final and would not be reviewed at any cost. “This time, MQM said goodbye to PPP for good; a decision that is irrevocable,” Jalil said emphatically.
On the other hand, PML-N is skeptical about moves of the MQM because of its previous track record.
“PML-N’s decision to relocate its guns away from MQM is a clear indication that PML-N is planning to adopt a changed policy towards MQM,” a PML-N leader said.
However, he clarified that he believed it would be premature to say anything at this time about the emergence of a joint opposition in parliament.
Courtesy www.dailytimes.com.pk