According to sources, the PML-N has chosen to support the PPP nominee over withdrawing its own candidacy.
Negotiations produced no positive result, even though efforts were made to mediate a consensus between the two sides. The PML-N’s refusal to withdraw its candidate has shattered expectations about collaboration for the next round of by-elections.
For the PP-266 Rajanpur seat, the PML-N has proposed Safdar Laghari as their candidate, while the PPP has selected Mumtaz Chang. The PML-N, however, has maintained that the alliance formula does not apply in this case because there has never been an election in this constituency.
The PPP has demanded at least level playing fields in the electoral arena in response to the PML-N’s position.
The party claims that the police are taking retaliatory action against its candidate in the constituency, which is making the election process even more difficult.
The PPP expressed dissatisfaction with the PML-N for not accommodating the women’s seats in the province amid disputes over seat modifications in the Punjab Senate election. As a response to the PML-N’s position, the PPP has chosen to remain steadfast and has declined to withdraw Faiza Malik’s candidacy.
