NA-55 bye elections and candidates campaigning strategy

February 24th bye elections in NA-55 are very crucial for the political parties of Pakistan as these elections are going to express the real popularity level of various parties taking part in the elections. PML-N, Awami Muslim League, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf and Jamat-e-Islami candidate are the prominent figures taking part in this election. PML-Q and PPP have decided not to contest in this election and PML-Q has decided to support Sheikh Rasheed Ahmad in this election while it's believed that PPP will announce support for PML-N candidate. However "Ham Khayal" faction of PML-Q announced support for Shakeel Awan of PML-N in a press conference headed by Senior Vice president of PML-Q Kabir Ali Wasti. On the other hand it's believed that even if PPP leader announces support for PML-N candidate, it's not guaranteed that PPP voters will be favoring Shakeel Awan as there is a heated battle of words is going on between the two parties these days. Shakeel Awan is also blamed to be involved in the destruction of Monument of Benazir Bhutto in Liaqat bagh Rawalpindi.

PTI candidate Ijaza Khan Jazi is also considered as a strong candidate as he got more than 12,000 votes in the last elections even as an independent candidate. Ijaz Khan Jazi is considered as an influencial and popular person in the city and the Just and upright politics of Imran Khan has made the atmosphere more friendly for Ijaz Jazi. A clear and strong stance of PTI chairman Imran Khan on various issues of national interest have braught a large public support for PTI candidate. Various prominent political figures from the city are joining PTI and it's believed that PTI will emerge as a strong competitor in the election. Imran Khan has around six large gathering speeches scheduled in february and these Jalsas of Imran Khan can really bring a big twist in the politics of NA-55.

A very large number of people from Rawalpindi participated in a "Go America Go rally" organized by Jamat-e-Islami in the last month which raised eyebrows of the political opponents of Jamat-e-Islami and political analysts state that Jamat-e-Islami also have a strong ideological vote bank in the city which has risen sharply in the past one year. However Dr Kamal is not believed to be in a position to give any tough time to the competitors.

An independent candidate and son of the Editor of Daily Asas Rawalpindi, Barrister Danish Iftikhar is also campaigning in a disciplined approach but yet he is not successful in bringing public in his favor. Haji Gulzar Awan of Pakistan Aman Party is also in the race but is expected to be again in the last number as is the case for him in the past.