Jahangir Tareen group and opposition's number game
Jahangir Tareen group could help the opposition to bring down PTI governments in Punjab and in Islamabad
Since the
opposition announced to bring vote of no-confidence against the PTI government
both in the National and Punjab Assemblies, the PTI faction known as Jahangir
Tareen group back in the news and become relevant again. This group has become a
key political player in this situation.
The matter
of fact is that Tareen group can topple the government if it sides with
opposition in the parliament. The important factor will be to see that how many
MNAs and MPAs are still supporting the group. Two members of Punjab Assembly Nazeer
Chauhan and Khurum Leghari already left the group.
For a
successful motion of no-confidence against PM Imran Khan, the opposition needs
the support of the 10 members of national assembly either from government
allies or defection in PTI. Tareen group can make this possible because Tareen
brought many independents and electables in the fold of PTI.
Tareen group
can also played a crucial role in the vote of no –confidence against CM Punjab
Usman Buzdar. If Tareen group withdraw its support from CM Buzdar it will
collapse. But is not yet clear how many MPAs will defect from PTI to join this
group. The situation will become clear in coming weeks. PTI
government has the support of 193 MPAs including 10 members of PML-Q. There are
also 5 independents in the Punjab assembly who can play a decisive role in the
vote of no-confidence.
Opposition needs
186 votes to remove CM Punjab Usman Buzdar. Opposition has 172 members (PML-N
165 and PPP 7). Opposition needs 10 members of PML-Q and 4 members of
independent group to reach to the magic figure of 186.
Tareen group
hasn’t announced its decision yet taken at recently held meeting. But some
sources close to Tareen group MPAs claimed that group might join hands with
opposition.
This group
emerged around former secretary general PTI and business tycoon Jahangir Tareen
when he developed differences with PM Imran Khan on the issue of FIA inquiry
against him. He feared that FIA wants to arrest him sugar scam on the behest of
the PTI government.
Nearly a
dozen members of National Assembly and two dozen members of Punjab Assembly formally
announced the formation of Tareen group to show solidarity with Jahangir Tareen
and accused some elements within the PTI government to conspire against Jahangir
Tareen. The group lost the steam when government assured the Jahangir Tareen that no political victimisation will happen against him.
Jahangir Tareen
played important role not only in the formation of the PTI government in Punjab
but also at federal level. He negotiated with different smaller parties
including MQM-P and PML-Q. He also won over the independents to gain the simple
majority to form the government in Punjab.
The Tareen
group held a meeting at the residence of Awn Chaudhry under the chairmanship of
estranged PTI leader Jahangir Tareen. The group gave authority to Tareen to
take a final decision.
Sources said
Tareen Group decided to bring their strategy to the fore after formal
presentation of the no-trust move. They further said that the Tareen group
could support the opposition when the no-trust move is presented, adding that
the PTI position was “very weak” in the Tareen circle.
Tareen group
expressed concern that key figures in the local government elections would not
like to take the PTI ticket. It adopted the stance that inflation had broken
the back of the common man over which there was a strong public reaction and
that the group would play an active role in this regard.
Buzdar
government cannot survive without the support of Tareen group. It seems that
Tareen group wants to keep its options open till the last moment. The political
developments of past two weeks have made Tareen group relevant and king maker.
Opposition needs the support of the Tareen group to move a successful motion of
no- confidence.
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