It may seem rather bizarre but PML-N President Shehbaz Sharif has appointed a spokesman for himself. This was apart from the party’s own spokesperson and chief whip Marriyum Aurangzeb, showing his annoyance and differences with the party.The development comes after an embarrassing episode when Shehbaz Sharif issued a statement on the formation of ‘national government’ but found no takers. In fact, his own party had to clarify that the president’s statement was his opinion. Shehbaz was buoyed by the PDM’s success rally in Karachi and probably spoke in jest when he quipped that the solution to national issues demanded the formation of a consensus national government. Shehbaz Sharif believes Nawaz Sharif’s very vocal position on the establishment’s direct and indirect interventions in politics is responsible for the PML-N’s present plight. He wants both his brother and his brother’s heir apparent Maryam Nawaz to let him deal with the establishment in order to improve the party’s electoral chances.
Against this backdrop, the public snub the PML-N president received the other day from a party spokesperson dubbing his proposal for the formation of a consensus national government his personal opinion (and leading him to opt for a ‘personal’ spokesperson) was not unexpected. In fact, a few weeks ago, his statement in a TV interview, claiming that the PML-N could have won the 2018 polls and Nawaz Sharif could have become the prime minister had the party followed a different strategy, invited a strong reaction from many PML-N leaders. His assertion was immediately challenged by Shahid Khaqan Abbasi, who had been entrusted with holding the fort as prime minister by his party after Nawaz Sharif’s disqualification. Similarly, Ms Nawaz has seldom hidden her contempt for her uncle’s politics. At times, Nawaz Sharif himself has intervened to rebuff his younger brother.
The problem with the two opposing narratives is that the fissures on top are now making their way to the rank and file of the PML-N with increasingly public spats in its second-tier leadership. This is especially true after its defeat in the Azad Kashmir elections, in spite of the big crowds drawn by Ms Nawaz during the campaign, followed by the loss of a provincial seat in Sialkot. These developments have strengthened the view held by the Shehbaz Sharif camp that the PML-N will have little chance of returning to power anytime soon unless its leadership ditches its anti-establishment stance. Yet a majority of PML-N leaders and voters are still inspired by the father-daughter duo’s resistance to the establishment.
The problem is compounded by the fact that the PML-N president reportedly does not discuss his ideas at party forums before making public statements, reinforcing the impression of the growing divide. Shehbaz Sharif on his part should focus on the strategy for the next election, or point the government’s shortcomings. This hints at factionalism within his own party and shows that some forces within the party are pulling the shots and superseding the party president and dismissing his remarks.
Shafaqna Pakistan
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