Asfandyar, Sherpao Challenged By PTI In Their Stronghold Charrsadda

Chief of Awami National Party (ANP), Asfandyar Wali Khan and Chairman, Qumi Watan Party, Aftab Ahmed Khan Sherpao have been challenged by PTI new comers in their native district Charsadda where election battleground is set for July 25 general election.

PESHAWAR, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 9th Jul, 2018 ) :Chief of Awami National Party (ANP), Asfandyar Wali Khan and Chairman, Qumi Watan Party, Aftab Ahmed Khan Sherpao have been challenged by PTI new comers in their native district Charsadda where election battleground is set for July 25 general election.

Asfandyar Wali Khan, a seasoned politician and Chief of ANP, who is contesting election 2013 on NA-24 Charsadda-II, had remained unlucky in 2002 and 2013 general election as he was twice defeated by JUIF senior cleric, Maulana Gohar Shah and this time, the ANP supremo was also facing a daunting challenge at the hands of Fazal Muhamamd Khan of PTI who stood runner up in the last general election.

In 2013 General Election, Moulana Gohar Shah of JUIF stood victorious by clinching 53,610 votes whereas PTI's Fazal Muhammad stood runner up with 40,254 votes and Asfandyar Wali Khan remained third with 38264 votes.

In 2008 General Election, Asfandyar Wali Khan clinched victory after securing 57234 votes against PPP's Naseer Muhammad Khan 17883 votes.

In 2002 General Election, Maulana Gohar Shah of MMA has grabbed victory after securing 55917 votes against Asfandyar Wali Khan who stood runner up after obtaining 31364 votes.

A survey to the constituency by this scribe has revealed that PTI has gained significant vote bank in the constituency and even Maulana Gohar Shah, the winner of previous two elections was facing a difficult time at the hands of Fazl Muhammad Khan, son of former Federal Minister and Senator, late Nisar Muhammad Khan, who has very strong roots in the constituency.

PTI has given tickets to three former turncoat MPAs from Charssada including Fazal Shakoor Khan (PK59), Sultan Muhammad Khan (PK-58) and Khalid Khan Mohmand (PK 56) as they quit JUIF and QWP respectively. The joining of former three lawmakers would benefit Fazal Muhamamd Khan.

A total of seven candidates are in the run in this constituency including Iftikhar Alam of PPP, Zahoor Ahmed of (APML), Muhammad Shafiq (Tahrik e Labaiq Pakistan), Farooq Shah independent and Mian Alamgir Shah of PMLN. The candidates of PPP and PMLN have also roots in the constituency besides significant party votes bank and their can make an outside upset.

On NA 23 Charsadda-I, Chairman Qumi Watan Party, Aftab Ahmed Khan Sherpao has been challenged by MMA's Zafar Ali Khan, PTI's Anwar Taj and ANP's Gulzar Ahmed after withdrawal of nomination papers by Jumaat e Islami Central Ameer, Sirajul Haq.

Aftab Sherpao is the main contender for this constituency as he had won this constituency since 1988 and is again posing serious challenge to the rival candidates. The withdrawal of papers by Sirajul Haq would benefit MMA candidate Zafar Ali Khan.

In 2002 General Election, Aftab Sherpao had secured victory from here after securing 42326 vote against runner up Iftikhar Khan Matta who bagged 18346 votes.

In 2008 General Election, Aftab Sherpao had narrowly escaped by winning this seat with 30626 votes against ANP's Bashir Khan Umarzai 29951 votes.

In 2013 general election, Sherpao again clinched victory after obtaining 37044 votes against close runner up JUIF Musammir Shah with 33,836 votes.

Former MPA Arif Ahmed Zai, who was the lone candidate that had won 2013 general elections on PTI ticket from Charsadda district has been succeeded in getting PTI ticket for PK 60 following successful protest by his supporters at Bani Gala and un-division of votes would benefit PTI candidate for NA-23 Charssda.

However, PTI had overlooked senior leader Jehanzaib Dhaki who had contested last general election on PTI ticket from NA-23 and awarded ticket to Anwar Taj against which political workers and loyalists of the former lodged protest at Bani Gala and this differences may affect PTI vote bank in this constituency.

On PK-56, ANP has awarded ticket to Yasir Amin after overlooking senior leader Hamayun Khattak, who has jumped into electoral battle as independent candidate as protest and the division of votes would benefit Provincial President of QWP and former MPA Sikandar Khan Sherpao, JUIF Mufti Gohar, PTI Khalid Mohmand, PMLN Tahira Bukhari and JI Samiullah in this constituency besides making negative effects on vote bank of ANP.

Every candidate at the moment stand almost fifty-fifty chances to win these Constituencies, however, effective elections campaigning by leadership of the political parties and party's election manifesto will make significant impact on overall results on July 25 General Election.