The political commentators are also foreseeing the impact of this defeat in upcoming by-election of NA-55 (Rawalpindi). It may be noted that as per unofficial results, Laiq Khan of Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam (Fazl group) won the NA-21 (Mansehra-II) seat by bagging 36,622 votes. PML-Q's Zargul Khan finished second with 31,762 votes while PML-N's candidate Tahir Ali stood third with 29,879 votes.
Analysts are of the view that Mansehra was considered to be a PML-N stronghold and the defeat of its candidate is not only a set back for the party but an eye opener for the PML-N leaders. They added that giving ticket to Tahir Ali, brother of Captain Safdar (Retd), son-in-law of Mian Nawaz Sharif, was a mistake, as Tahir Ali was preferred over Umber Faiz, daughter of late MNA Faiz Mohammad Khan.
Sources in the PML-N told Business Recorder that Nawaz Sharif has taken notice of the defeat and asked for formation of a committee under the leadership of Sardar Mehtab Ahmed Abbasi, Chief Organiser PML-N NWFP, to look into the reasons of the defeat and submit a report at the earliest. The sources further told this scribe that the PML-N leadership has also directed the party to put energies on Rawalpindi seat to avoid another defeat there.
Further, election campaign in NA-123 has been intensified. Hamza Shahbaz and Pervaiz Malik are holding daily corner meetings in the constituency. However, the PML-N is yet to formally announce its candidate for NA-123. Sources claimed that different leaders of the PML-N are making efforts to get ticket.
Meanwhile, the Jamiat Ahle Hadiths has termed the defeat of PML-N and PPP candidates in NA-21 as a beginning of change in political thinking of the people. Hafiz Ibtisam Elahi Zaheer said the election results suggest that the people are totally disgruntled with the PML-N and the PPP. The middle class is considering the religious leadership as an alternative to the existing leadership, he added. He further said that the process of change has started and now looking towards those forces who could steer the country out of the prevailing crises.