BATTAGRAM: Jamiat Ulema-i-Islam-Fazl and Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf-backed candidates have locked horns in PK-35 here for the Feb 8 elections.

Political observers say JUI-F candidate Nawabzad Wali Mohammad Khan, who is backed by ‘Battagram Group’, and PTI hopeful Taj Mohammad Khan Trand, who has support of the ‘Trand Group’ are the hot favourites for the seat.

Taj Mohammad, who was former special assistant to the chief minister, had won the seat in 2018 elections. He is the son of former provincial minister Yusuf Khan Trand.

Political observers say that Trand Group enjoys such a political influence in the district that its nominees do not have to rely on a party ticket, and win the seat in independent capacity, and then join the party which forms the government in the province.

Trand Group leader Yusuf Khan Trand has close relationship with Pervez Khattak, the chief of the newly-formed Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf-Parliamentarians.

Analysts say that due to close ties between the two leaders it can be assumed that if Trand group wins the seat its candidate will join the Khattak’s PTI-P.

Meanwhile, JUI-F has emerged as a strong force in PK-35 as its candidate, Wali Mohammad, who was earlier Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz candidate for the seat, left the party and joined JUI-F.

Wali Mohammad told Dawn that they had entered seat adjustment with JUI-F and decided that PML-N won’t issue tickets for NA-13 and PK-34, and would support JUI-F candidates on both the seats.

However, he said PML-N leader Captain retired Safdar visited Battagram and issued party tickets to the NA and provincial candidates without considering the ground realities in the district, forcing him to quit the Nawaz Sharif’s party.

It is assumed that Wali Mohammad is a strong candidate and he would possibly win the provincial assembly seat.

Meanwhile, Wali Mohammad and Taj Mohammad are also counting on their numerous projects to win PK-35.

The former PTI MPA claims to have executed mini and micro hydel power and beautification projects and infrastructure development schemes in the district.

Similarly, JUI-F candidate takes credit for executing projects in the education sector.

Though ANP and PPP candidates are also contesting the PK-35 seat, a real contest is between PTI and JUI-F contenders.

To find your constituency and location of your polling booth, SMS your NIC number (no spaces) to 8300. Once you know your constituency, visit the ECP website here for candidates.

Published in Dawn, February 5th, 2024