Sujawal District Council Chairman Yet To Be Finalised As Internal Wrangling Continues

Sujawal District Council Chairman Yet To Be Finalised As Internal Wrangling Continues
While the newly elected representatives of local government took oath two days ago, the district council chairman of Sujawal is yet to be finalised amid wrangling between different powerful groups.

A meeting held in this regard in Bilawal House late on Sunday ended without results. Sources within the party ranks say the meeting was attended by Nisar Ahmed Khurro, Faryal Talpur, Suhial Anwer Siyal, and others.

District Commissioner, Sujawal administered oaths to some 141 representatives of the local government, including chairman and vice chairman of union and district councils and town committees, on Monday.

The second phase of the local government elections was held in Thatta and Sujawal districts during the month, but internal rifts among the local big-wigs of the party has led to the delay.

The split is said to be between the Shirazis and Malkanis, and has reportedly intensified, following which the central PPP leadership intervened, but to no avail so far.

An hours' long meeting also took place between the local party leaders, including Syed Shafqat Hussain Shah Shirazi, a strong candidate for the slot and reportedly a bitter opponent to Danish Khan Malkani, son of party stalwart Ghulam Qadir Malkani.

Qadir was considered a staunch rival of PPP in the past but joined the same party after his political sheen faded out in 2018.

Same goes with the Shirazi group, who were adherent supporters of the military regime, and joined the PML-Q in 2002 and the Nawaz Sharif-led PML-N after the 2013 general elections.

It is believed that the Shirazi group has greater public support across the district compared with Malkanis of Raj Malik.

MPA Muhammad Ali Malkani, flexed his political muscle against his cousin Ghulam Qadir Malkani during the general elections of 2008 as he sides with the Shirazis and inflicted defeat on him.

It is not yet known as to when the council chairman will be finalised, as the party deals with its own rifts.

The author is a practicing lawyer and freelance journalist. His areas of interest are cultural diversity and socio-political issues of Sindh.