LAHORE – The party position for the Punjab Assembly has become clear, twodays after Pakistan concluded its 11th General Elections, with PakistanTehreek-e-Insaf clearly in a position to form a government but with alittle effort.
According to the statistics released by the Election Commission ofPakistan, the results for as many as 294 seats of the provincial assemblyare out with Pakistan Muslim league Nawaz leading the race by securing 127seats.
The second party in line is Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf which has secured 122seats of the provincial assembly.
The independent candidates fall third in the race who have gained 29 seatsbecoming the swing factor in the elections.
Pakistan Muslim League has defeated the opponents on 7 seats of the contestfor the provincial assembly with Pakistan Peoples Party garnering 6 seats.
Balochistan Awami Party (BAP), Pakistan Muslim League-Functional, PakistanAwami Raj secured single seat of the assembly that represents over 110million.Who can Form the Government?
Although PML-N is leading the race in Punjab, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf caneasily form the government in the province primarily due to the fact thatthe party is all set to form a government in the centre.
As PTI is sure to take over the reins of government at the federal level,the independent candidates must be in an easy position to side with it atthe provincial level so as not to have any clash with the centre in fiveyears down the road.
However, the possibility of Pakistan Muslim League Nawaz luring inindependents cannot be ruled out as the party is well experienced inattracting the all-powerful legislators.
In any case, the independents would be deciding whether to award thegovernment to Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf or to go with Pakistan Muslim LeagueNawaz for another five years, stirring a nail-biting contest in theprovince.Any Forward Block?
Another factor, which can altogether change the political landscape is theformation of any forward block. If sizeable legislator (generally over 48)side with any political party, the said party will be able to form agovernment in Punjab.
Though no sure shot prediction can be made in this regard, a politicalstroke can be played by the former interior minister Chaudhry Nisar AliKhan who can become the leader of the forward block and can attractlawmakers from PMLN to pledge allegiance to PTI.
The next week is crucial as PTI and PMLN would be having a cut throatcompetition in Punjab.