Ruling coalition won 8 Senate seats despite all odds
Analysis
The ruling coalition in Balochistan managed to win 8 Senate seats despite all odds. The component parties of the Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM) failed to give any surprise to the ruling coalition.
The Balochistan National Party (Mengal) Chief Sardar Akhtar Mengal had predicted a political explosion on the eve of the Senate election. However, the opposition failed to give an upset.
The situation changed at the eleventh hour
Chief minister Balochistan, Jam Kamal Khan’s last time efforts worked. The situation changed and chances of an upset disappeared when the BAP chief succeeded in convincing Sitara Ayaz, Sardar Khan Rind, and an HDP candidate to announce a withdrawal from the race.
This ensured the victory of the ruling coalition candidates in the Senate polls. The component parties of the anti-government alliance appeared to be quite confident in giving an upset but they failed to do so.
Sanjrani had offered 4 seats to PDM
Chairman Senate Sadiq Sanjrani offered four seats to the opposition prior to the elections. However, the opposition alliance demanded six Senate seats.
As expected the BAP dominated in elections as it won 5 general seats, 1 woman, 1 technocrat, and 1 minority seat. The ruling coalition also backed an ANP candidate Arbab Omar Farooq on a general seat.
The party is one of the key component parties of the 11-party anti-government alliance. Definitely, the ANP Senator is likely to support the PDM in the upper house in line with party policy.
Abdul Qadir gave a surprise by getting 11 votes
Abdul Qadir, an independent candidate gave a surprise while getting 11 votes. Although, 9 votes required for the victory of a senator. Qadir will join the ruling parties either the PTI or BAP soon.
BNP Mengal maintained its position by winning 2 senate seats, whereas, JUI F also got 2 seats.
Cracks within the ruling coalition made headlines in print and electronic media prior to the senate elections. However, gradually, the coalition partners developed a consensus.
The opposition was actually thinking of winning 5 to 6 seats. However, the ruling coalition’s strategy worked and the opposition failed to give any surprise. Unlike general perception, the JUI F and BNP M preferred to back their own candidates rather than PDM’s as the PKMAP candidate Usman Kakar only got 1 vote on general seat.
Ruling coalition won 8 Senate seats despite all odds
