The beleaguered former ruling party PTI suffered perhaps its biggest setback as Pervez Khattak announced to form his own breakaway faction – PTI Parliamentarians. The new party is being seen as a challenge to the PTI’s bastion of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa ahead of the general elections.
The new party is comprised mostly of former PTI members who have distanced themselves after the violent May 9 incidents or prefer to stay away from the political limelight. A list of party members handed over to the media showed names of 57 individuals who expressed support. The most prominent among them were former KP CM Mahmood Khan and former governor Shah Farman.
Within hours of the announcement, there were dissenting messages from members disassociating themselves from the party. The PTI-P is in disarray within hours after its chaotic formation by cobbling together different dissenters. This shows the party’s political manifesto does not hold much significance nor does Khattak holds sway among the PTI members.
It seems Khattak formed the party in a desperate shot at power. Once a PTI stalwart and formidable leader, he served as the chief minister of KP, but was given the post of Defence Minister during the PTI’s tenure. Eventually, he started developing differences with the PTI chief over affairs in the province. The final push came when he disassociated himself after the May 9 incident.
The PTI has dismissed concerns over Khattak’s new party, calling it like scattered moths after monsoon rains. The bigger question lies whether the PTI will manage to retain its bastion in KP during the next election. The PTI made history when it received two consecutive terms in KP but a third one remains elusive for the party.
It also remains to be seen whether Khattak has a real shot at power or whether the party is merely an attempt to remain politically relevant. It is likely that others may join the bandwagon sensing the diminishing chances of the PTI returning to power. But will it be enough to form the next government in KP? Or will we have a hung parliament in the province which will aggravate the political crisis?
Defections and new alliances are common before the general elections. However, the formation of Khattak’s party is seen as an attempt to further weaken the PTI in KP. It needs to be seen if the plan will succeed and the PTI will be able to defend its strongest fortress.
