Does Elahi suit PTI?

“If the Supreme Court decision puts PML-N in hot waters, the verdict is not as welcoming as is being considered for the PTI too”

If Tuesday’s decision of the Supreme Court put the PML-N in hot waters, it is not as welcoming as it is being considered for the PTI too.

After all, it was the leaders of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf who demanded the general election even after winning Punjab by-polls on July 17 while knowing their government in the province was a matter of days.

PTI leader Fawad Chaudhry showed no hesitation in making the calls for snap polls during proceedings in the top court on the controversial ruling of Punjab Assembly Deputy Speaker Dost Muhammad Mazari amid the widely anticipated judgement on the petition filed by Chaudhry Pervaiz Elahi – the PTI and the PML-Q’s nominee for Punjab’s chief minister. People know Fawad speaks the language of Imran Khan, the PTI chairman.

“Khan wants fresh election and is ready to sacrifice the PTI governments in KP and Punjab for snap polls,” a PTI MNA told Minute Mirror.

Why the PTI feels uncomfortable even while having control of two provinces?

The PTI insider explained it was because of two reasons. Firstly, some party leaders are worried about the possible post-Elahi scenario in Punjab. Secondly, the PTI enjoys massive popularity and wants to cash it immediately.

“Elahi was not the PTI’s choice for Punjab CM post after the general elections of 2018, despite his strong desire. Everybody knows he was nominated in April under some pressure,” the source said.

Awami Muslim League President Sheikh Rasheed made similar comments on a private TV channel minutes after the SC decision.

“The PTI is divided into two camps on the issue of fresh elections,” the veteran politician and ally of the former ruling party told the host.

“Led by Khan, one side believes the PTI should vehemently demand fresh election. Others believe their governments should serve the people in two provinces till the completion of present assemblies’ tenure,” he said. The former had the majority opinion, he said. Rasheed also stated that Khan was confident the fresh elections will give the PTI a thumping majority in the parliament.

“He [Imran Khan] is worried about the economy which the ruling alliance has destroyed,” he said.

Elahi has already smelled the rat and was quick to announce he would not waste a moment to dissolve the Punjab Assembly on Khan’s call. Many believe Chaudhry has to complete different tasks in the months to come. Strengthening his party (Pakistan Muslim League-Quaid) would remain the top priority of Elahi as Punjab CM. He needs time for it, at least a few months. With only 10 MPAs in the house of 371, the PML-Q wants more in the coming elections. More for the PML-Q means less for the PTI and the PML-N – the two main wrestlers in the field.

The time will however prove where the things go in the days to come.

Meanwhile, the PML-N was caught in a mess after the SC verdict. Some leaders have already admitted it was a wrong decision to form a coalition government after the PTI ouster through a no-confidence motion against former prime minister Imran Khan in April. From Javed Latif to Saad Rafique, the PML-N leaders are admitting openly they should go for fresh polls after the April episode.

“Nawaz Sharif was right then,” Javed Latif told a reporter after Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz faced defeat in the Punjab by-elections. If the results of the polls on 20 vacant seats in Punjab were a bombshell for the PML-N, the SC decision put it in the worst situation beyond imagination.

The top leadership of the party was clearly worried about the future. Yet, it is the only player left in the field to pose a tough challenge to the PTI tsunami.