Re: Why Punjab did not vote PTI?
I very much agree with this assessment.
PPPP is done and dusted. The 2008 election was an anomaly because of the extraordinary and tragic events leading up to it; there will never be another Benazir to be able to move voters.
Judging by this election’s outcome, PTI’s prospects appear bleak too in Punjab. Imran Khan, a life-long resident of Lahore, nearly died campaigning in the city but couldn’t win his seat in Lahore! Not even a sympathy vote, never mind his charisma, philanthropic contributions through Shaukat Khanum Hospital, and his role as the captain that won the country cricket World Cup trophy. Ibrar-ul-Haq coudn’t win a seat despite his own philanthropic contributions, celebrity status as a former beloved musician, and clean corruption-free record. PML-N’s heir apparent Hamza Shabaz Sharif won his seat in Lahore but Allama Iqbal’s grandson failed to win one…
The factors that motivated people to vote for PML-N-- whether it was the baradri factor, satisfaction with the status quo, apprehensions about trying someone new, reservations about voting for someone from a party other than PML-N, or whatever else it was-- will most likely still be there come 2018 or 2023. The Sharifs and PML-N are not so dumb that they will antagonize their vote bank. They will keep throwing a few big-ticket projects like some more shiny new roads and flyovers, metro buses in other cities of Punjab, more ‘gifts’ for the youth in the form of laptops etc. etc. even if basic services like hospitals crumble or the rest of the country rots or goes hungry with not even enough atta to eat.
PML-N is in for the long-haul. It has the template of winning by an almost landslide in one province to be able to comfortably form government in the centre. It will most likely keep using that template, rinse, rig if needed, repeat and viola…