The Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) has finally expressed its reservations over linking the resignations with the long march and had sought time to hold consultations within its Central Executive Committee (CEC). Undoubtedly, the cracks within the Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM) have started to appear.
The PPP also wants to escape from the long march. In this regard, sources claimed that the resurgence of COVID-19 pandemic is not so severe but the federal and Sindh governments, by imposing smart lockdowns, are trying to prove that such large gatherings should be avoided. Now the opposition parties, who are against the long march, can easily hide behind the COVID-19 pandemic. Political sources have confirmed that despite all possible efforts, the long march will be difficult before Eid-ul-Fitr.
Now the question is, why PPP is opposing resignations and the long march? The PPP is currently the ruling party in Sindh. The party would face a big political loss if they resign from the assemblies. Because, if the Establishment, after the opposition’s resignations, advised the government to hold by-elections instead of abolishing the system, PPP may not get that many seats again.
The PPP leadership may also face various cases in which it is currently getting concessions, nor is there an environment against the government in which the opposition can gain any results from the long march.
An alliance, with several political parties of different ideologies, has differences. It was already difficult for these political parties to work together. However, the PPP is playing very nicely in this situation. In this whole matter, PML-N and Maulana Fazlur Rehman have almost the same opinion that resignations should be submitted soon and a long march should be held. And the reason is simple; both parties faced a huge loss in the 2018 general election. But the PPP in Sindh has won more seats than before so the participation of PPP in this alliance is confounding. It would not be wrong to say that the PPP has become part of the PDM to keep up pressure on the government over corruption cases against it. That is why the PPP’s statements contradict the PDM’s leadership.
In fact, the PPP is not in favour to end this regime. If the long march and resignations had been decided, it was possible that the opposition would have achieved great success. Sacrificing the government is a very difficult task. On the one hand, the Prime Minister says that he can sacrifice his government, but will not leave the corrupt politicians. The PPP also hinted at sacrificing its government in Sindh, but has done nothing so far and will not do so.
