KARACHI: Muttahida Qaumi Movement-Pakistan (MQM-P) convener Dr Farooq Sattar on Thursday said the total number of his party’s candidates for the upcoming Senate election is fifteen.
“17 nomination forms for the election were filled, however, the total number of candidates of the party are fifteen,” he told the media in Karachi.
“Conflict or difference of opinion can exist,” he said, “but MQM-P’s policy of discipline has not changed.”
“We have submitted nomination papers separately, but it was done with a mutual understanding,” he said. “You should have faith in my leadership and our abilities.”
Earlier, the party’s convener expressed his reservations on Subzwari’s press conference, in which the Raabita Committee questioned the policies of Sattar.
“I promised the negotiators that I was coming so what was the hurry in doing the press conference. When I came to know about it, I immediately called Khawaja Izhar and Kanwar Naveed to stop them, we are coming,” he said. “Subzwari was bitter in his presser. Tessori told me that in view of stopping the party from the division, he can sign on a blank paper for withdrawal of his candidacy.”
Sattar said that the Bahadurabad faction of the party is constantly showing him the party’s constitution for point scoring.
“The party meeting is unconstitutional because I didn’t permit it. Had I wanted further division I would have gone to the KMC stadium before the arrival of Rabita Committee delegation at my place. After taking a mandate from the workers would have suspended the Rabita Committee.”
Separately, senior MQM-P leader Amir Khan said that the names recommended by the Rabita Committee was the result of necessity than choice.
“The process of finalization of names is still open. MQM-P’s office is your (Sattar) office. The names are still open. Please come and discuss it with us,” he said.
Subzari, taking a jibe at Tessori said that the party has refused to take decisions while taking on board Tessori.
“We have refused to abide by the desire of Tessori, which in fact comes through Sattar that all party decisions should be taken in his presence,” he said. “There were attempts to pressurize us by shouting slogans. What was the pressure about why Rabita Committee’s deputy convenor was not given Senate ticket.”
The provincial lawmaker questioned the merit of Tessori for being MQM-P’s Senate nominee.
“What is merit. MQM is not for sale. If MQM doesn’t send its nomination papers, Peoples Party will be the beneficiary.”
Rumours of a split in the party were rife after Sattar abruptly left a party meeting on February 5 over a disagreement on nominations of Senate candidates with senior party leader and deputy convener Amir Khan.
Shabbir Qaim Khani withdraws candidacy
Party leader Shabbir Ahmed Qaim Khani withdrew his candidacy from Senate election in an audio message released Wednesday night.
“I am withdrawing my candidacy from the Senate election,” he announced.
