Neck and neck contest likely in NA-122

LAHORE
A tough contest is likely in NA-122 constituency in Lahore between the de-seated National Assembly Speaker PML-N MNA Sardar Ayaz Sadiq and Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf Lahore President Aleem Khan with the result due on October 11 expected to be the barometer of public opinion.
The election fever currently gripping Lahore is undoubtedly going to spread to the rest of Punjab with Local Government elections scheduled to be held in less than five weeks. The seat of NA-122 was originally won by the ruling party in 2013, which considers Punjab and the provincial metropolis to be its stronghold. The NA-122 comprises some of the most populous areas of the city. These are Ichhara, Dharampura, Shadman, Samanabad, Shah Jamal and several neighbourhoods along Upper Mall.
The outcome of the polls will be a judgment of the government’s performance over the last two and a half years.
The challenge posed by the rival PTI, which staged a four-month long dharna over the controversial results of 2013 general elections, can prove formidable. While some residents are drawn to the PML-N promises of development, others have become weary over the rising loadshedding, inflation in prices of food items, and inconveniences caused by the construction of the signal-free corridor in the city. Those interviewed by The News however favourably viewed the coming by-election on October 11, as they believed it has compelled an allegedly complacent government to turn to the public for votes and assess how the common man perceives its policies. They hoped that it would encourage the ruling party to use the remainder of its tenure to improve its performance and deliver on its 2013 election promises.
Amina Hashmi, a housewife living in Shadman, talking to The News voiced her support for PTI candidate Aleem Khan by stating that the PTI Lahore President had worked tirelessly for the poor and marginalised in the city by supporting hospitals and other philanthropic efforts. She criticised the government for spending billions of rupees on fancy infrastructure development projects instead of providing basic amenities, including clean drinking water, adequate number of Basic Health Units in rural areas, and purchasing produce from poor small farmers. She claimed that PTI had brought meaningful reforms in health and education in KP and stated that meanwhile PML-N had only increased its riches in Punjab. She claimed that her neighbours and other women in the residential area were also voting for PTI’s Aleem Khan on election day.
A fruit vendor Ali outside the bustling shrine of Shah Jamal, talking to The News, however did not exhibit any enthusiasm regarding the upcoming by-polls and said the result of NA-122 would not have any effect on the poor man’s life. Ali told The News that although he was registered to vote at a polling station in Garhi Shahu and had voted in the previous election, the fruit vendor would not be taking part in the democratic process since he viewed the battle for the seat as a battle of egos. Both candidates, Ali said, did not genuinely care about their constituents and were motivated by the perks and privileges that accompanied the win.
Usman Mahmud, a businessman living in Zaman Park, talking to The News said the issue of a withholding tax had irked the trade community in his neighbourhood and said Aleem Khan had maintained contact with his voters despite not being in the assembly. Usman however is taking his time to decide on his final candidate choice and informed that a majority of voters in Shadman, Upper Mall and Zafar Ali Road had not so far decided whom they would back this time. Meanwhile, his son Mohammad who is voting for the first time in an election as he was abroad for undergraduate studies during 2013 general elections told The News that he would vote for Aleem Khan as NA-122 had been stolen from PTI through foul play by PML-N. It is noteworthy to mention that Mohammad constitutes a large selection of elite youths who participated in overseas PTI activities and rallies.
It is apparent from visiting the shopping bazaars, cafes, chai dhabbas, and barber shops of Shadman, Shah Jamal, and Zaman Park that the votes of these posh localities will largely favour the rival PTI candidate Aleem Khan. PML-N supporters were few and far between as observed after surveying these areas.