Countdown to KP elections: eight contenders vying for chief minister’s slot

PESHAWAR: Eight leaders of various political parties in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa are presenting themselves as suitable candidates for the slot of chief minister in case of winning the election scheduled for February 8.

From district Nowshera, PTI Parliamentarians (PTI-P) Chairman Pervez Khattak is contesting the election from National Assembly constituency NA-33 and two provincial assembly constituencies, PK-87 and PK-88.

Whereas PTI-P Central Vice-Chairman of Mahmood Khan is the party candidate for the chief minister’s slot from Swat’s NA-4 and PK-10.

Pervez Khattak has already declared himself as the new chief minister of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa in case of winning the election in public gatherings and corner meetings. In the political circle, Mahmood Khan is also being touted as a strong candidate for the post of chief minister in case of winning the election.

In Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F)’ two leaders are also considering themselves as candidates for the post of chief minister. One of them is the former chief minister and federal minister, Akram Khan Durrani, who is contesting the election from Bannu’s two provincial assembly constituencies, PK-100 and PK-102.

Similarly, in JUI-F chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman’s brother and former MPA Maulana Lutfur Rehman, can also come forward as a candidate in case of winning the election. He is participating in the elections from the provincial assembly constituency PK-114 of DI Khan.

In Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, there are also two candidates within the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf for the post of chief minister in case of winning the election. The current provincial president of the party, Ali Amin Gandapur, and the former finance minister, Taimur Jhagra, are the expected candidates for the post of chief minister in case of securing a majority of PTI in the province. Ali Amin Gandapur is contesting from the provincial assembly constituencies PK-112 and PK-113 of DI Khan, while Taimur Jhagra is a candidate from Peshawar’s PK-79.

Similarly, in the election of February 8, in case of victory and majority of the party, Amir Muqam of Muslim League-Nawaz and Amir Haider Khan Hoti of Awami National Party will be the expected candidates for the post of chief minister. Amir Muqam is contesting from Shangla and Swat, while Amir Haider Khan Hoti is contesting from the national and provincial assembly seats of Mardan.