This was inevitable. We all knew that once Altaf Hussain was no more able to save his creation; the MQM would eventually disintegrate. That it would happen so soon and over a mere senate ticket, for a mysterious new entrant in the party, is what causes astonishment. The party that once exemplified discipline is now in complete disarray.
Altaf Hussain is still alive but, seemingly rendered irrelevant by the establishment. It is now more obvious than ever that it was solely Altaf’s terror that kept the Muttahida Qaumi Movement muttahid. For several years the rumour mills were churning out theories regarding Altaf’s health deteriorating and seemingly two factions each led by Farooq Sattar and former Governor Ishratul Ibad playing tug-rope to fill in as suitable successors. Many even believed that Altaf had already nominated Mustafa Kamal as his heir.
The minus-one formula has now become minus-two with Farooq Sattar’s illustrious political career now under the shadow of an enormous question mark. Perhaps a way is being paved for Musharraf
But Kamal went on to form his own party accurately claiming that MQM will always be Altaf’s progeny and no iteration, such as MQM-P, can detach itself from his legacy. It is all proving to be true now as Farooq Sattar has failed miserably in his attempt at replicating Altaf’s control over the party. The poor guy cannot even seem to nominate a single senator.
This is not the first time money has been a factor in politics. Before Kamran Tessori many new entrants had been awarded party tickets based solely on financial contributions. Thus, MQM Bahdurabad’s argument is not necessarily true. True, Tessori is using his wealth as leverage but, it goes far beyond that. Tessori who belongs to the Urdu speaking community tried his luck in politics for several years with PML-F. But as soon as Farooq Sattar was picked up and tuned by the Rangers Tessori has been with Sattar like his shadow. This leads one to believe that Farooq Sattar, aided by his broker Tessori, are in tune with the establishment whereas Amir Khan and co. might still be in touch with MQM London and intentionally working to get rid of Farooq Sattar.
Yes MQM is a middle class party claiming grass root origins. But, where were these claims and reservations when Altaf was picking MNAs and Senators at will without any input from the Rabita Committee. Surely, this is not a battle between principles but a simple tug of war to win the mohajir mandate. It might even be a grand scheme to restore Altaf’s grip over the MQM. It was always known that MQM has two faces, one that is portrayed to the media and the other that actually runs the organisation. The latter is a team of sector in-charges and individuals still, allegedly, under Altaf’s control.
Recently, Mustafa Kamal and Farooq Sattar held a joint press conference hinting at a possible merger that did not materialise. It is now obvious that that move was an attempt to pre-empt the coup within MQM which has been now, eventually, realised. The minus one formula has now become minus two with Farooq Sattar’s illustrious political career now under the shadow of an enormous question mark. Perhaps a way is being paved for Musharraf.
The immediate beneficiary of this entire drama is the PPP which was ideally looking to win five general senate seats in this cycle. The way things are looking now though, the PPP might pull a clean sweep and win all seven general and both women seats. Further, if MQM does not put its house in order it will face a major embarrassment in the general elections. The PPP will look to win seats in Karachi and Hyderabad that they never had before, like PS-114.
Karma is very real. The party that was created by the establishment has now also been destroyed by the establishment. The mohajir vote is up for grabs for the first time in three decades. More importantly so is control over Karachi, the financial and economic hub of Pakistan. It might not be long before we see a new mayor and local government setup in the metropolis.
The writer is a former Pakistani Diplomat with vast experience in the USA
Published in Daily Times, February 18th 2018.