Senate election: BAP and PDM fail to reach consensus in Balochistan
Staff Reporter :
The ruling Balochistan Awami Party (BAP) and Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM) failed to reach a consensus about senate elections. Chairman Senate Sadiq Sanjrani held a series of meetings with leaders of PDM to reach a consensus to finalize the seat distribution formula.
Mr. Sanjrani offered four out of a total of 12 seats to the component parties of the anti-government alliance in Balochistan. The PDM demanded 6 seats and turned down the offer of chairman senate.
“We want six seats”, Mehmood Khan Achakzai, one of the senior leaders of the 11-party anti-government alliance said. “Government will suffer if it failed to strike a deal with PDM”, Mr. Achakzai claimed.
Ruling parties in Balochistan have 42 out of 65 legislators
In Balochistan, the ruling coalition parties have 42 out of a total of 65 legislators in the house. However, differences within the government alliance have weakened the mighty alliance in the province.
The Pakistan Tehrik e Insaf (PTI) Balochistan chief, Sardar Yar Muhammad Rind has also expressed serious reservations about the distribution of senate tickets in the province. “None consulted me regarding the distribution of tickets”, Sardar Rind told reporters.
CM Jam Kamal and Sanjrani held a meeting
Chief Minister Balochistan, Jam Kamal Khan, and chairman senate Sadiq Sanjrani held thorough consultation to evolve a strategy to win maximum seats. However, some legislators within the ruling coalition have expressed their resentment.
“I will cast vote as per my conscience”, one of the ruling legislators told Quetta Voice. He requested anonymity.
Opposition enjoys the support of 23 legislators
The opposition parties have 23 legislators in the house of 65 in the Balochistan Assembly. The Awami National Party (ANP) one of the key parties of PDM is an ally of ruling PTI and BAP in Balochistan.
The coalition partners consist of BAP 24 seats, PTI 7, ANP 4, BNP (Awami) 3, HDP 2, JWP 1. The former chief minister Nawab Sanaullah Zehri has not announced his position so far. Mr. Zehri was elected on the ticket of the Pakistan Muslim League (N) during the general elections of 2018.
Nawab Zehri has however currently parted his ways with the PML N.
Senate election: BAP and PDM fail to reach consensus in Balochistan
