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Security concerns in Punjab: Bilawal to start campaign from Sindh

 - File photo - File photo

Security concerns would yet be restricting free movement of Bilawal Bhutto in Punjab, so he would kick start his campaign from Sindh to activate party workers in the month of October, said party sources.

"Bilawal would gradually proceed to test the water of party's popularity in Punjab during the months ahead," they added.

The well-paced party sources told Business Recorder that Bilawal would not hold a public meeting in NA-162, Cheechawatni, like Imran Khan or Hamza Shahbaz. Instead, the party ticket-holders of May 2013 elections from Punjab have been advised to reach Cheechawatni and muster support for the party candidate, they added.

Meanwhile, the party sources said, Bilawal also convened a meeting of the coordination committee from Sindh on Saturday evening to discuss the nominations which would be followed by meetings with the coordination committees from other provinces.

The party circles apprehend a hue and cry after Bilawal will finalise names of party office-bearers for its reorganisation.

"Chances are high that the deprived ones would blame favouritism besides distancing themselves from party activities to lodge their protests," said one senior party leader. But, he added, that Bilawal has little options in his hand to delay the announcements any longer.

The party's top leadership is of a considered opinion that Bilawal has a groundswell in his favour throughout the country, including Punjab.

However, they added in the same breath that since the party leadership is clear on the continuity of democracy in the country, therefore, chances are high that the PPP would avoid becoming part of any Nawaz-removal campaign. Instead, they added, Bilawal would be eyeing for the general elections of 2018 and all his public interactions would mean for the same.

These circles have also pointed out that winning the hearts of party splinters would be a challenge for Bilawal Bhutto. Some of the party circles are of the viewpoint that the party had launched him premature but others believe that Asif Ali Zardari had other considerations when he asked Bilawal to start political activities.

Interestingly, the party circles have not ruled out the possibility of a great opposition alliance ahead in collaboration with the PTI. They said PTI Chairman Imran Khan is yet determined to take the PML-N government to task on Panama leaks and Bilawal would also be criticising the government on multiple counts, so the possibility of their political convergence cannot be ruled out.

Copyright Business Recorder, 2016