By Asif Mehmood
With the political turmoil in Baluchistan, a commoner like me finds himself grappled with many troubling questions, Will this move hit the upcoming Senate elections, being the ultimate conundrum.
What this development is all about? What is the ultimate objective? What compelled JUI, otherwise a candid colleague of the ruling coterie to opt this way? What is the real story of the rift within the PMLN power corridor? The timing is also very important. What is the rationale behind this move at the twilight of the government? There are many many questions and one must admit, albeit begrudgingly, sans any concrete answer.
Now the Chief Minister has resigned. It doesn’t mean a smooth transition of the power is in the offing. There are many ifs and buts. The rift within the PMLN indicates there is little hope for an “agreed upon candidature” for the slot of Chief Minister. The way Mr Bugtee has refused to meet the Prime Minister speaks volumes of the fact that something is rotten within. Moreover it will not be an easy a job for PM to forget this gesture of hospitality and gratitude by Mr. Bugti.
In the given situation one must not forget that even if someone is elected as the next chief minister he is bound by the law to have a vote of confidence from the Assembly. And vote of confidence in this situation will be an uphill task. If we connect the dots we can expect a governor rule.
Now the question is: If the assembly is dissolved can you go for the senate Election? The Constitution is silent on this subject. But from the jurisprudential side the answer is NO. The Electoral College for the Senate Election consists of National assembly and four provincial assemblies. If one provincial assembly is ceased to exist it means the Electoral College is incomplete. If the government decides to go for the Senate Election with incomplete Electoral College the move can be challenged in the Supreme Court of Pakistan.