Daily Times

The party of the people, commonly known as the Pakistan People’s Party (PPP), is going through a huge transformation. No one can deny the significance of its vital role in shaping politics and the meaning of democracy in this country. It stands tall because of the sacrifices and hardships its members have endured at the hands of one of the most cunning dictators in the history of Pakistan. It started the trend of politics of the common people and engaged the most disenfranchised and downtrodden people of the country in politics. Undoubtedly, the PPP was a political pioneer in that particular segment of our society. The founder of the party, Zulfikar Ali Bhutto, experimented with the ideals of socialism and was truly one of a kind as a leader. To this day, it is his name and legacy that his party tries to follow.
Bhutto was a remarkable person. His friends and foes alike were in awe of his brilliance but the poor man had strange luck. He was either beloved and adored by the people or disliked and loathed by opponents. Who said being brilliant is easy? Perhaps subconsciously he was aware of his dark fate. No wonder he was trying to accomplish too many things too fast for this country. While reaching for his lofty goals and high ideals, he made his share of mistakes and blunders.
Despite all the shortcomings that are rightly or wrongly attributed to him, Bhutto’s is a name that no one in Pakistani politics can ignore. A dead man from Larkana is still the living spirit behind the PPP, a party that is lost in this day and age, trying very hard to survive. The current chairperson and former president of Pakistan, Zardari, is very aptly referred to as a “PhD in Pakistani politics”. Most of our current politicians, allies and adversaries alike, admit to his prowess in this arena. The current administration leans on him every time it finds itself in a pickle. Mr Zardari has lent them a hand a few times in their weakest moments.
The other buzzword that is often heard with unrestrained scorn is dynasty. The PPP is accused of furthering the Bhutto dynasty. Mr Zardari chose his young son, Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, to fill the vacuum left by his slain mother. The move was tactical and perhaps well intentioned. Bilawal has a fire in his belly and takes after his grandfather and his mother. However, he is at a huge disadvantage in his lack of a connection with his own people. The security concerns to his life keep him away from his own constituents. Timing holds a lot of weight in politics. In his passion, Bilawal made some remarks that were, let us just say, politically incorrect. It amazes most people how such a politically astute father let his son ramble on that way, thinking that the mistake would be easily remedied. Rumour has it that the two developed differences that caused Bilawal to exit the political scene in the country. Although the official cadre of the party tries to dispel this rumour and both father and son pose for pictures together in London and Dubai, curious minds do question how the so-called father of Pakistani politics did not consider Bilawal’s youth and inexperience. Was he not aware of security threats surrounding his only son?
How strange that the death anniversaries of both his idealistic mother and overly idealistic grandfather came and went and there was no Bilawal. Rumours are circulating that one of his sisters will be brought to the frontlines as well, as a continuation of Benazir. The need of the hour is for the PPP as a whole to re-evaluate its ideals and ideologies. The term Bhuttoism is alien and, quite honestly, irrelevant to the voters of this day and age. It is high time that the PPP steps out of the shadows of its slain leaders. The two remarkable leaders, Bhutto and Benazir, are history. The party cannot dwell on their names and images forever. What the party needs is substance that resonates with the modern voter. Unfortunately, the dead never come back. The living lead their own lives and follow their own ideas and vision. The PPP has to come to terms with the fact that the right wing and its proxies are becoming stronger. The parties of the left need to stay relevant and come up with solutions to attract and entice the new age of voters.

The writer is a Pakistani-US mortgage banker. He blogs at http://dasghar.blogspot.com and can be reached at dasghar@aol.com. He tweets at http://twitter.com/dasghar