Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari Calls for Timely Elections Amid Party Rift
Hyderabad, Pakistan: Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari addressed party workers in Hyderabad, emphasizing the party’s commitment to collective decision-making while addressing ongoing disagreements within the party regarding the timing of general elections.
Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari acknowledged the simmering political differences within the PPP and clarified that his allegiance to his father and party Co-chairman Asif Ali Zardari was limited to household matters, separate from political affairs. This comes after Asif Ali Zardari suggested that the completion of the delimitation exercise was necessary before holding elections, citing the need for a fresh and updated census. However, Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari remained steadfast in his demand for timely elections, putting him at odds with his father’s stance.
During his address, Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari called for transparency in the election schedule and expressed concern over the growing anxieties of Pakistani citizens due to worsening economic conditions. He asserted that the PPP has a history of serving the people and that supporting the party is the way to address the country’s challenges.
Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari announced his upcoming visit to Lahore to chair the party’s Central Executive Committee (CEC) meeting. In this meeting, the party will decide its future course of action, including its approach to the election issue.
Regarding potential allies’ reluctance to participate in the elections, Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari stated, “We will not run from the elections. However, if some of our allies are considering running away from the elections, we will let them run because when you don’t contest elections, someone else takes your seat.” He disclosed efforts to persuade the Muttahida Qaumi Movement-Pakistan (MQM-P) to participate in local elections, expressing disappointment in their withdrawal due to fear.
According to conversation of The Express Tribune, a PPP leader clarified that the differences between Asif Ali Zardari and Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari regarding party affairs were not a ‘good cop, bad cop’ strategy but rather a genuine difference of opinion, particularly concerning dealings with the establishment. This divergence in their positions has brought to light the apparent division within the Zardari House.
Despite the media’s perception, some party leaders denied that this difference in political style was detrimental to the party’s unity, affirming that such variations in approach have long existed within the PPP.
