Politics
 
Politics of Confrontation: Feeding on a divided opposition
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May 25, 2012
Ever since Premier Yousaf Raza Gilani’s indictment in court contempt case, Pakistani politics has entered a new dangerous phase of confrontational politics. The SC verdict has brought about a fundamental shift in Pakistani politicking. On the one hand, the government and its allies are staying together and trying to put up a joint front against the opposition onslaught, on the other the opposition camp looks divided and missing the trick at this critical juncture. Instead of launching a joint struggle, the two major political parties of opposition — the PML-N and PTI — are waging their separate struggles against the government. In doing so, they are not only strengthening a discredited and corrupt government, but also exposing their own petty political interest at the cost of national interest. To add to these divisions, Jamaat-e-Islami (JI) has also refused the PML-N’s call for forming a coalition of political parties against the government. At the same time a newly formed alliance of religious-political parties — Defense Council of Pakistan (DCP) — is following its own anti-US agenda.

This amounts to providing a free space to a failed government instead of paving way for new elections by overthrowing it through a joint struggle. The short-sighted and myopic approach of a divided opposition camp is taking its toll on the electorate. At this juncture just blaming the government alone for the woes and suffering will be unfair. The opposition parties would have revived the confidence of the electorate by throwing this incompetent and corrupt ruling political lot out of power. But they have miserably failed in it.

Both the PML-N and the PTI have their own reasons for not entering into an alliance. The basic bone of contention and hurdle in the way of cooperation between them is the election timing. For Nawaz Sharif, the lesser the stay of government in power the better it’s for the PML-N. Meanwhile, for Imran Khan, the longer the stay of current government in power the better it is for PTI. The PTI would like to drag it as far as they can so that they get more time to complete their preparation and organize their party for 2013 general elections. On the other hand, the PML-N has been trying hard to up the ante against the government to pave for snap elections. The PML-N believes only snap election will shrink the time space for PTI thus enhancing its chances of winning more seats.

At the same time both PML-N and PTI are desirous of forming the government single-handedly. The recent trends of electoral politics have shown that future governments will be coalition based with a split mandate. So instead of vying for 90s style politics, where governments were formed by a two-third majority, both parties will do well to recalibrate their position and carry out a reality check.

Another new variable which will have a great influence over the outcome of upcoming general elections is the election manifestoes of the political parties. The lofty claims by both parties will be of no use unless they come up with a concrete plan of action of addressing the pressing issues of energy crisis, corruption, terrorism and unemployment. A vibrant and vigilant media will not only scrutinize the election manifestoes of various political parties in minutest detail, but it will also dissect the plan of actions given by these parties to address the major issues facing Pakistan. So the electorate will be well informed and educated before exercising their right to franchise.

So far none of the two parties has come up with a tangible plan of action which could satisfy the electorate. Imran Khan’s 90 day formula of eliminating corruption and terrorism sounds hollow in the absence of how he will bring about such a miracle in such a short period of time? One wonders if he has a magic wand by rubbing which everything in Pakistan will be hunky dory in 90 days. The PML-N’s situation is no different either. The electorate will not be taken into out and out PPP bashing. Holding the PPP responsible for all ills of Pakistan will not work anymore.

The SC’s verdict against the PM has immense political significance for the future course of politics in Pakistan. In a show of power both the government and opposition parties are facing off each other in political rallies and meetings. Pakistan is transitioning into a phase of electoral politics without change of political guard. Had these gathering and rallies been held in an election environment under a neutral care taker setup their impact have been positive for the country. Such mudslinging and blame games between the divided opposition and the government have turned this trend into a vicious cycle of confrontational politics.

By organizing political gathering without relinquishing power PPP and its allies has given the impression of their lust to rule at the cost of public welfare while divided opposition also shows a negative tendency. It is about time that political actors show some maturity. They should sit down and negotiate a care taker set up and a suitable date for elections. Early polls will not only provide current government with a face saving but will also be good for the supremacy of rule of law and strengthening of democratic institution in Pakistan.


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