KHAIRPUR: Several political parties have virtually no vote bank in Khairpur district though they have put up candidates. Seventy-five candidates of various parties are in the run.

The parties include the Muttahida Qaumi Movement, Pakistan Awami Tehreek, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf, Sindh Democratic Alliance, Muttahida Majlis-e-Amal and others.

According to analysts the candidates of these parties would try to bargain with the main candidates. The analysts said even if they did not withdraw, they won't be able to cause a dent in the vote banks of PML (F) and PPPP candidates.

The analysts said even the PML (N) in the previous election had a vast vote bank and Syed Ghous Ali Shah secured votes from across the district but when he went into exile and PML (N) became inactive in Khairpur they faced lack of candidates. The same situation is being witnessed regarding the PML (QA).

On last Sunday exiled Ghous Ali Shah addressed the people of Khairpur from London in which he emphasised upon them to support his candidates, but his address did not appeal the people and no change was noticed among them.

The PML (F), however, now has a stronghold in Khairpur. There is positive response to PML (F)'s election campaign. There is a straight contest between the candidates of PPPP and PML (F) on three National and six provincial assemblies' seats. According to the analysts, in the 1997 poll Ghous Ali Shah and Sadruddin Shah had proved that that there is another party which was countering the PPP -- the PML. However, with a comprehensive strategy the PML (F) motivated the people and is set to contest the elections in Khairpur without any alliance.Meanwhile, an MMA public meeting on Sunday night here at "Phool Bagh" was attended by thousands of Majlis workers. Muttahida Majlis-e-Amal secretary general Sindh Dr Khalid Mehmood Soomro said the US is playing a dangerous game with the Muslims and it had targeted the Muslims under deep conspiracies. He made it clear upon the US that the six big religious parties have united, and pledged to face the US.