In the run up to the 2018 general elections, the political scenario in Sindh has become disconcerting. The difference of opinion is enormous. One thing, however, seems inevitable that Sindh is far from political change and soon a weak government will be back.
For two consecutive tenures, the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) was in power and largely failed to deliver anything to the people of the province. There is immense anger in the civil society groups, media and the middle class against the PPP because of its inability to meet voter expectations during the past two terms. The increasing social issues, bad governance and corruption remained the biggest problems in the province.
While Bilawal Bhutto Zardari has matured to lead the party, his father considers him immature for party control.
Over the past decade, the Zardari-led PPP has lost its popularity due to poor governance in the province and the country as a whole. In the 2013 elections, the PPP failed to attract voters in other provinces, but somehow managed to regain control in Sindh. An Amnesty International report revealed massive corruption in Sindh during the last two terms of the PPP government in Sindh, especially in the health and education departments.
As a result of its poor record, the PPP is now vulnerable and will face a tough situation in the 2018 polls. That’s why Bilwal himself started campaigning for his candidates in different districts. The Grand Democratic Alliance (GDA) comprising Pakistan Muslim League-Functional (PML-F), National Awami Tahreek (NAT), MQM Pakistan and like-minded individuals, was formed to challenge the PPP.+
There is a strong possibility that the PPP may lose both national and provincial assembly seats to the GDA, and if it does lose it shall be for good reason
There is a strong possibility that the PPP may lose both national and provincial assembly seats to the GDA. But the GDA has its own issues as most of the faces are the same, and it will need to cash in on the bad reputation of PPP government solely.
Under the current political situation, the future scenario of Sindh is muddled and no one can ascertain the results. Overall, there is a disagreement between the members of civil society. At present, the PPP is holding a strong position in the province and voters are socially and politically under the control of feudal representatives.
In 20 years, no party or leader has fought to make their party popular among the masses against the PPP. Since the 1980s, all parties other than the PPP have struggled to increase their vote bank.
Currently, there are two viable solutions for Sindhis. The first is strengthening the civil society which can pressurise any political party in the government for better governance. The civil society, along with other political parties, should mount pressure on the government to set the public agenda in terms of education, health, sanitation, security and social development.
The second option appears difficult, but not impossible. Political parties opposed to the PPP should not only criticise bad governance but also move with the masses against corruption and bad governance to create a mass movement.
After each election, the leaders of all opposition parties seem to go into hiding and remain politically inactive. They generally do not try to connect with masses for political mobilisation or social development. They only appear when the next elections are announced.
This is one reason why the masses are isolated. They do not find an alternative for their votes, and no one can blame them for giving votes to the same party again and again. Now, they have lost hope that change will come from existing political parties or leaders.
Political wisdom, however, tells us to awaken the masses and tie them together for social and economic development.
The writer is Lecturer of International Relations at the University of Sindh, Jamshoro
Published in Daily Times, July 14th 2018.