Political Parties Jaffarabad

The role political parties in the district have played has been small because of the fact that all those who have succeeded in winning elections since 1988 did so due to their personal, family or tribal influence. The three provincial constituencies PB 20, 21, 22 (7 polling stations in Nasirabad) have been under the tribal/family influence of the Jamali and Khosa elite since 1988. The PB 20 and 21 have been retained on personal grounds by Jamali elite. In the past the family unanimously agreed to forward candidates with all supporting him. This time (1997) however, a rift took place in the tribe over the formula and an independent candidate won PB 21 against the candidate of the family. Similarly, the winning of PB 22 by Zahoor Khan Khosa is due to his personal efforts, rather than party support.

 

In 1996, a new political party was formed: the Jamoot Qoomi Movement (JQM) by Gul Hasan Manjhoo. The party is formed on ethnic basis. It appeals to Jamoot tribesmen for the party candidate for PB 23. The party candidates contested elections from PB 20, 21, and 22. None of them won however.

 

The case with NA 203 is similar, in the sense that the role of the political parties is limited too. The winning of Nabi Bakhsh Khosa of the seat was largely due to his tribal / personal influence and not because of the party. The parties in the government however can make a difference, as was the case of the 1997 elections, when Zafrullah Jamali as the care-taker Chief Minister, had an edge over his son's opposing candidate.

 

The Balochistan National Party (BNP) plays a minor role in the area. The Muslim League has been influential in the area but through the elite. The party itself has failed to generate votes for the candidate against Sardars / landlords. The Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) has a vote bank, but is not very strong.

 

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