It can be safe to say that the PDM is officially dead. The opposition alliance has been pushed to its own deathbed by the very same political parties leading the movement on the forefront to oust the prime minister. Often called an unnatural alliance due to wide range of ideologies, it was only a matter of time before it crumbled on its own weight.
The battles lines have been clearly drawn after harsh public statements between the two major opposition parties – PPP and PML-N. Even PDM chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman, who was refereeing the conflict between the two parties, could not save the alliance. He attempted to dismiss concerns that the PDM was splintering and claimed they were united against the government. Now the cat is out of the bag and the PPP is also set to depart from the six-month old anti-government alliance.
The situation aggravated after PPP took the unilateral decision and its party stalwart Yousaf Raza Gilani was appointed as opposition leader in Senate, leaving the PML-N behind. The PPP claims the PML-N’s candidate was controversial and it had a right to pick the opposition leader. Gilani was unable to become Chairman Senate and will have critical role as opposition leader in the Upper House. The growing differences have certainly spelt the death knell for the PDM, allowing PM Imran Khan to have last laugh. The federal ministers are rejoicing that the PDM poses no threat to the government.
It was obvious that it was always a game of power politics but anti-government struggle lies in shambles with no chance of revival. A protest movement sans the PPP will be ineffective as compared to the joint opposition movement. The PDM has no Plan B either after it was outsmarted by the PPP who first refused to resign from assemblies and placed the much anticipated long march on the backburner. The PML-N, with Nawaz Sharif pulling the shots from abroad and Maryam in command, is also responsible as took a rather extreme position with no chance of a comeback.
The PPP was certainly never prepared to take on the struggle which Nawaz Sharif was expecting. It eventually took the course of action that would see them in the power structure as it eye a comeback in the next elections. This will be followed by even more allegation and mudslinging but what is evident that Prime Minister Imran Khan is secure and will cement his grip on power.
