KHANEWAL - One MNA and four MPAs out of 10, who defected from their parties and joined the PML-N, belong to Khanewal district.
This change of political loyalty has disturbed the political balance between PML-N and PPP in the area and in the South Punjab as well.
According to reliable sources, three more MPAs and two MNAs from the district are also in negotiation with PM-N leadership to join the party
The PPP leaders who announced joining the PML-N include Rana Babar from constituency PP-217, Nishat Khan Daha from constituency of PP-214, Jamil Shah from constituency PP-218 and Abbas Zafar Hiraj from constituency of PP-213.
Two PML-Q MNAs Dewan Ashiq Hussain Bukhari and Pir Muhammad Aslam Bodla also joined the PML-N. Pir Muhammad Aslam Bodlha was elected MNA from constituency NA-158 (Khanewal -III).
The PML-N leaders including Haji Irfan Ahmad Khan Daha had been working on the task since long. This change of political affiliation has put both the PPP and the PML-Q in trouble and it is being regarded as a great setback for both allied parties.
The sources in both the parties said that two sitting MNAs and three MPA’s including Ch Iftikhar Nazir from NA-159 (Jahanian-Khanewal), Raza Hayat Hiraj from NA-156(Kabirwala), Aamir Hayat Hiraj from PP-216 (Mian Channu), Ghulam Jaffar Sargna from PP-212 (Kabirwala-Abdul Hakim) and Karam Dad Wahla PP-219(Jahanian) have been in talks with the PML-N leadership to get onto the bandwagon. However, none of the above MNAs or MPAs have yet confirmed the reports.
The district has four NA and eight provincial assemblies constituencies and is regarded as the most important district in the politics of South Punjab.