It has been in the air for some time now that a certain amount of internal strife is beginning to take place within the top hierarchy of MQM. A power struggle for the placement of No.2 leader is ballooning with an indirect threat to Altaf’s own position as well. That seems to be totally atypical of a party that is governed by a military-like code of conduct under the tyrannical leadership of a British national. But then who had ever imagined of Hitler’s suicide?
Smoke smacks of fire and we can finally see through it some panic as well. Altaf Hussein decided to seek advice of his followers on his future course of action and he chose to wake them up at 2am on Tuesday for the purpose. The urgency clearly seems to send multiple signals in different directions.
The supremo asked his followers if he should quit party leadership, as well as politics, in the wake of contempt of court notice served by the Supreme Court?" He asked “Would not it be wise to step down if his continuous struggle resulted in further chaos?” The questions were carefully drafted and so were the answers. While the questions were pitched against the backdrop of court’s notice, the answers seemed to be addressing someone else.
Waseem Aftab and Wasey Jalil of MQM, the two top leaders who were attending MQM’s workers, spoke on behalf of the workers that “we can leave MQM but not Altaf Hussein.” They also said that “We don’t need the destination, we need the leader.” The leaders said that “MQM workers are reiterating their pledge to stand by Altaf Hussein till their last breath.” Wasey Jalil said that “We won’t accept any leadership but Altaf Hussein’s.” The response of the two leaders appeared to be directed less at the court and more at someone else. Workers were shown on TV chanting slogans in Altaf’s favour and insisting on him not to quit party leadership. This gathering of workers in different parts of Sindh at the wee hours of morning and their vow to side with Altaf instead of MQM was first of its kind in MQM’s own history.
Altaf Hussein has an ironclad grip over his party and cannot be outmaneuvered easily. With Scotland Yard knocking at Altaf Hussein’s door and the Supreme Court standing upfront, has a power struggle really started within the party? Or is there someone else who is trying to prop up a particular group against the supremo to cut its own ‘Frankenstein’s monster’ to size?
what a great political vision this party has, more of a cult than political party.