While uncertainty about the exact date for holding the next elections continues, a war of words has erupted among former allies, the PPP, PML-N and JUI-F, which were major components of the previous PDM government. The issues involved in the ongoing verbal duel range from the delay in the announcement of a firm election date to charges about a level playing field for all parties.

In his recent speeches PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto has repeatedly criticized the PML-N saying that “our key allies are running away from elections.” In an indirect reference to the PML-N, he said, “We want to make it clear that we are accustomed to fighting with corpses on our shoulders.” The PPP chairman also criticised the PML-N for allegedly favouring the postponement of the general elections by more than three months.

Other PPP leaders, including Faisal Karim Kundi and Sharjeel Memon, have intensified their attacks on the Sharifs, saying that the PML-N should not hide behind institutions, as it had already abandoned its “vote ko izzat do” (give respect to the ballot) narrative to hide its ulterior political motives. Stressing the need for a level playing field for all parties in the upcoming general elections, they said that some former aides to the Sharif brothers have been appointed to the caretaker federal cabinet, and the PML-N is not joining the demand to hold elections within 90 days after the dissolution of the assemblies. In their view, their erstwhile allies were playing foul by trying to win the favour of the establishment. During the recent CEC meeting in Lahore, some PPP members accused the PML-N of becoming a “darling of the powers that be” and conspiring against its former allies to gain power.

The PML-N has not taken kindly to the barrage of criticism from the PPP. Responding to attacks by PPP leaders, PML-N’s Khawaja Saad Rafique said that the PPP chairman’s “rants against the PML-N were nothing more than an election stunt.” He taunted that to control a province after buying a political elite isn’t politics. He also hinted that the PML-N, MQM-P and JUI-F could band together to contest polls in Sindh.

On the other hand, the Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam (JUI-F) and Pakistan Peoples Party have also become embroiled in a bitter dispute over the schedule for next elections. While the PPP has called into question Maulana Fazlur Rehman’s statement about the difficulty in holding elections in January, the JUI-F has accused the PPP of “running away from elections” on the pretext of its narrative on timely elections.

It may be added here that the war of words came just days after Bilawal Bhutto condemned the JUI-F for supporting a potential delay in elections. During a speech in Karachi, Bilawal had voiced his concern, saying, “One party (PML-N) says that fresh delimitation is crucial for the next elections, and the other (JUI-F) questions the possibility of polls in January and February due to harsh winter. The people of Pakistan now should know and identify all those who are running away from elections.” In reply, the JUI-F spokesperson asked the PPP to reveal its “true agenda” and stop attacking its coalition partners.

In the opinion of some political commentators, the ongoing battle of words between the PPP and PML-N has raised the prospects of realignment of political forces ahead of the coming elections. According to a report, during the recent meeting of the PPP Central Executive Committee, Asif Ali Zardari had assigned party leaders the task of reaching out to other political parties, which is interpreted as an indirect reference to the PTI.

In this context, it is important to point out here that there are two candidates for the post of prime minister in the government to be formed after the next elections –Bilawal Bhutto from the PPP and Nawaz Sharif from the PML-N. Speculation is rife in the press that Nawaz Sharif is coming back as a result of a deal between the PML-N and the Establishment. This is a reason why the PPP has publicly taken a stand against the PML-N and its political maneuverings. In this regard also significant is the fact that in the interim government some well-known PML-N sympathisers have been included.

In the evolving situation there is a strong possibility of some kind of electoral understanding and adjustments between the PPP and the PTI, particularly in the Punjab. A leading PPP leader last week said, “Pakistan at the moment needs political stability for economic stability. The only way forward in this regard is the holding of free and fair polls”. The underlying message is that given a secret deal between the PML-N and the Establishment elections may not be free and fair. The PPP has also officially announced that it would wait till November 30 and might approach the Supreme Court if the date was not announced by the Election Commission of Pakistan by then. All this is indicative that political troubles are ahead before the polls and maybe afterwards too if poll results are not to the liking of one party or the other.