Can Imran Khan prove PTI ministers’ allegations, survey wrong after KP LG polls?
A survey conducted by Bloomberg claimed that the ruling political party is losing its popularity in its stronghold KP
ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Imran Khan has decided to personally oversee local government strategy in the second phase in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) but whether he can prove Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) lawmakers’ allegations and a recent survey wrong or not.
After a series of allegations levelled by ruling Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) lawmakers in Peshawar, a survey conducted by Bloomberg claimed that the ruling political party is losing its popularity in its stronghold where it was in power for the last eight years. Bloomberg’s survey report was published after PTI’s defeat in the first phase of KP LG polls and termed it declining popularity of the ruling party.
The survey further claimed that PTI voters were losing confidence in the political party due to a rise in unemployment and inflation.
It may be noted here that PTI faced a clear defeat in KP LG polls in 62 tehsil councils of 17 districts as its political rival Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam Fazl (JUI-F) topped the resulting chart with 22 seats followed by PTI’s 14 seats.
Reasons behind PTI’s defeat in its stronghold Peshawar during KP LG polls
Moreover, 12 independent candidates were elected in other tehsils, whereas, Awami National Party (ANP) managed to win top positions in six tehsils. Pakistan Muslim League Nawaz (PML-N) claimed to win on four seats and Jamaat-e-Islami (JI) clinched victory on two seats.
Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) and Tehreek Islah-e-Pakistan got the victory on one seat each.
In view of the results of KP LG polls, the provincial information minister Shaukat Yousafzai had said that PTI confirmed its defeat which was faced due to inflation.
Federal Science Minister Senator Shibli Faraz termed the defeat a result of internal differences in the political party and hinted at mistakes in finalising the candidates.
PTI MNA Noor Alam Khan had also levelled allegations of corrupt elements present in the political party, as well as blamed inflation as the reason for defeat.
PM Imran Khan admitted that PTI made mistakes in the first phase of KP LG polls and paid the price.
He said, “Wrong candidate selection was a major cause. From now on I will personally be overseeing PTI’s LG election strategy in 2nd phase of KP LG elections & LG elections across Pak. InshaAllah PTI will come out stronger.”
PTI made mistakes in 1st phase of KP LG elections & paid the price. Wrong candidate selection was a major cause. From now on I will personally be overseeing PTI’s LG election strategy in 2nd phase of KP LG elections & LG elections across Pak. InshaAllah PTI will come out stronger
— Imran Khan (@ImranKhanPTI) December 21, 2021
Analysts said that after PM Imran Khan’s statement, he will be responsible for any results whether it is a win or defeat in the second phase of KP LG polls. They added that Imran Khan will have to deliver to the nation to prove his ministers’ allegations and Bloomberg survey wrong.
The next phase of KP LG polls will be held in 18 districts on January 19, 2022.
