Grand Democratic Alliance
{{Infobox political party
| name = Grand Democratic Alliance
| native_name = {{lang|ur|گرانڈ جمہوری اتحاد}}
{{lang|sd|گرانڊ ڊيموڪريٽڪ الائينس}}
| abbreviation = GDA
| logo = Grand Democratic Alliance Logo.png
| founded = {{start date and age|2017|10|23}}{{cite news|url=https://tribune.com.pk/story/1538565/1-ppp-rivals-formally-register-grand-democratic-alliance/|title=PPP rivals to formally register Grand Democratic Alliance|work=Express Tribune|date=23 October 2017}}
| founder = Pir of Pagaro VIII
| ideology = Populism{{Cite web |date=2024-02-15 |title=PTI voices support for GDA's protest against 'election rigging' |url=https://arynews.tv/pti-voices-support-for-gdas-protest-against-election-rigging/ |access-date=2024-02-29 |website=ARY NEWS |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |last=NNI |date=2024-02-25 |title=PTI, GDA, JI say will observe 'black day' on 27th |url=https://www.brecorder.com/news/40290549 |access-date=2024-03-25 |website=Brecorder |language=en}}{{Cite web |date=2024-02-27 |title=GDA intensifies protest against 'rigged' general elections |url=https://tribune.com.pk/story/2457732/gda-intensifies-protest-against-rigged-general-elections |access-date=2024-03-25 |website=The Express Tribune |language=en}}
Regionalism
Anti-PPP{{cite news |title=GDA the anti-PPP alliance|url=https://www.dawn.com/news/717434/mumtaz-bhutto-reinvents-himself-acts-to-strengthen-anti-ppp-front |work=Dawn |date=11 December 2017}}
Anti-feudalism{{cite web|title=The History of Peoples Movement in Sindh|url=https://archive.org/stream/TheHistoryOfPeoplesMovementInSindh/HistoryofAwamiTahreek_djvu.txt|website=archive.org}}
Anti-nepotism{{Cite web|date=18 July 2018|title='Zardaris' have taken over PPP, says Mumtaz Bhutto|url=https://dailytimes.com.pk/269577/zardaris-have-taken-over-ppp-says-mumtaz-bhutto/|access-date=26 September 2020|website=Daily Times|language=en-US}}
| position = Big tent
| national = TTAP
| country = Pakistan
| leader = Pir of Pagaro VIII
| general_secretary = Safdar Ali Abbasi{{cite news|url=https://www.nation.com.pk/24-Dec-2023/sindh-ecp-receives-in-all-1405-nomination-papers-so-far|title=Sindh ECP receives in all 1405 nomination papers so far|date=24 December 2023|access-date=29 December 2023|work=The Nation (newspaper)}}
| spokesperson = Saira Bano{{cite news|url=https://www.24newshd.tv/20-Dec-2023/gda-s-saira-bano-to-contest-election-from-na-210|title=GDA's Saira Bano to contest election from NA-210|date=20 December 2023|access-date=20 December 2023|work=24 News HD}}
| colorcode = {{party color|Grand Democratic Alliance}}
| colors = {{color box|199153}} Green
| seats1_title = National Assembly of Pakistan
| seats1 = {{Composition bar|0|366|hex=#199153}}
| seats6_title = Provincial Assembly of Sindh
| seats6 = {{Composition bar|3|168|hex=#199153}}
| symbol = Star
File:Five-pointed star.svg
| flag = File:Grand Democratic Alliance Flag.jpg
}}
The Grand Democratic Alliance ({{langx|ur|گرانڈ جمہوری اتحاد}}; {{langx|sd|گرانڊ ڊيموڪريٽڪ الائينس}}) is a regional political coalition of seven Sindh-based political parties. It was founded on 23 October 2017 by the Sindh-based regional political parties along with some rival dissident politicians from Pakistan Peoples Party as a political alliance against the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) government in Sindh.{{Cite web|date=2017-10-23|title=PPP rivals to formally register Grand Democratic Alliance|url=http://tribune.com.pk/story/1538565/1-ppp-rivals-formally-register-grand-democratic-alliance|access-date=2021-05-23|website=The Express Tribune|language=en}} Accusing the PPP of political victimization of opponents by using Fascist and authoritarian political policies, It has been a critic of Asif Ali Zardari (the incumbent PPP president). The alliance has accused him of supporting nepotism and corruption in the region and usurping the Pakistan Peoples Party by using the Bhutto family name to gain power.{{Cite web|date=18 July 2018|title='Zardaris' have taken over PPP, says Mumtaz Bhutto|url=https://dailytimes.com.pk/269577/zardaris-have-taken-over-ppp-says-mumtaz-bhutto/|access-date=26 September 2020|website=Daily Times|language=en-US}}
The alliance is actively struggling against despotism, theocratic & fascist terrorism, and economic exploitation of smaller constituent units with a special focus on Sindh and its people, The alliance is poised to play a pivotal role in parliamentary politics of Pakistan, by contesting elections and undertaking formal activities in regional political process, It also claims that the people of Sindh are unhappy with the PPP government.{{cite news |first=Hasan |last=Mansoor |url=http://www.himalmag.com/2003/february/report_2.htm |title=The pathology of military democracy: Manufacturing a government in Sindh |work=Himal South Asia |date=February 2003 |url-status=|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080110130021/http://www.himalmag.com/2003/february/report_2.htm |archive-date=2008-01-10 }}
History
On 23 October 2007, Grand Democratic Alliance was formed in Sindh, Pakistan. On 26 November 2017, the leaders of the GDA participated in GDA's first official meeting to be held in Sukkur on November 26.{{cite news|date=4 June 2018|title=Mirzas join Pagara-led GDA, to contest election from Badin|work=Dawn|url=https://www.dawn.com/news/1411915|access-date=25 July 2018}} The alliance was formed to defeat the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) in the Sindh province, which is considered a stronghold of the PPP. The alliance has been seen as a major challenger to the PPP in the 2018 elections.{{cite news|date=14 July 2018|title=Pakistan General Election: Grand Democratic Alliance may pose formidable challenge to ruling PPP in Sindh|work=Firstpost|url=https://www.firstpost.com/world/pakistan-general-election-grand-democratic-alliance-may-pose-formidable-challenge-to-ruling-ppp-in-sindh-4736861.html}}{{cite news|date=12 April 2018|title=Pagara, Chaudhrys join hands to make a 'formidable' poll alliance|work=Dawn|url=https://www.dawn.com/news/1401107|access-date=25 July 2018}} The GDA opposed the feudalist system in Sindh, Which is openly supported by the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) it has supported the anti-feudal elements against the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) in Sindh along with Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI).{{cite web|title=The History of Peoples Movement in Sindh|url=https://archive.org/stream/TheHistoryOfPeoplesMovementInSindh/HistoryofAwamiTahreek_djvu.txt|website=archive.org}}
During political unrest in Pakistan following the ousting of Imran Khan in 2022, the GDA leadership including the alliance head, Pir of Pagaro VIII issued statements supporting Imran Khan, mainly during the 2024 election.{{Cite web |date=2024-02-15 |title=PTI voices support for GDA's protest against 'election rigging' |url=https://arynews.tv/pti-voices-support-for-gdas-protest-against-election-rigging/ |access-date=2024-02-29 |website=ARY NEWS |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |date=2024-02-17 |title=Incoming coalition govt won't last 10 months, says Pir Pagara |url=https://dunyanews.tv/en/Pakistan/792030-New-govt-will-go-no-longer-than-eight-or-ten-months:-Pir-Pagara |access-date=2024-02-29 |website=Dunya News |language=en}}{{cite web | url=https://www.samaa.tv/208739836-pir-pagara-claims-election-results-sold-three-months-ago-alleges-prearrangement | title=GDA Leader Pir Pagara: Election Rigged, Govt Short-Lived, Army Might Intervene (Pakistan Politics) }}
= 2018 general elections =
For the 2018 Pakistani general election, the GDA joined hands with the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf by forming seat adjustments in more than ten seats with the aim of defeating the PPP. As a result of the election, the GDA won 14 seats in the Provincial Assembly of Sindh, three seats in the National Assembly and garnered almost 15% of the vote in Sindh.{{Cite web|url=https://dunyanews.tv/en/Pakistan/445090-Election-2018-PTI-seat-adjustment-|title = Election 2018: PTI makes seat adjustment with five political parties - Pakistan| date=14 February 2008 }}{{Cite web|url=https://www.samaa.tv/news/2018/06/pti-makes-seat-adjustment-with-pir-pagaras-gda-to-defeat-ppp-in-sindh/|title = PTI makes seat adjustment with Pir Pagara's GDA to defeat PPP in Sindh | SAMAA}}
= 2024 general elections =
In the 2024 Pakistani general election, the GDA continued its alliance with the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf during despite crackdown on the party.{{Cite web |date=2024-02-17 |title=Incoming coalition govt won't last 10 months, says Pir Pagara |url=https://dunyanews.tv/en/Pakistan/792030-New-govt-will-go-no-longer-than-eight-or-ten-months:-Pir-Pagara |access-date=2024-02-28 |website=Dunya News |language=en}}{{Cite web |last=Lodhi |first=Nadim Asrar,Areesha |title=Pakistan election updates: Crackdown threats as PTI protests 'rigging' |url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/liveblog/2024/2/11/pakistan-election-results-live-wait-for-final-tally-three-days-after-vote |access-date=2024-02-28 |website=Al Jazeera |language=en}} The GDA ran against PPP candidates in several constituencies, but unlike the 2018 election, the GDA did not win many seats and a much lesser number of two Sindhi provincial seats were won by the GDA.{{Cite web |last=Desk |first=BR Web |date=2024-02-12 |title=GDA not to take oath on 2 provincial seats won in Feb 8 elections: Pir Pagara |url=https://www.brecorder.com/news/40288465 |access-date=2024-02-28 |website=Brecorder |language=en}} The elections countrywide and in Sindh were plagued with allegations of rigging in favor of the PPP and PML-N.{{Cite web |last=Hussain |first=Abid |title='Election engineering': Is Pakistan's February vote already rigged? |url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2024/1/12/election-engineering-is-pakistans-february-vote-already-rigged |access-date=2024-02-28 |website=Al Jazeera |language=en}}{{Cite news |last=Board |first=Editorial |date=2024-02-12 |title=Opinion {{!}} Pakistan's shocking election result shows authoritarians don't always win |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/2024/02/11/pakistan-military-elections-authoritarianism-imran-khan/ |access-date=2024-02-28 |newspaper=Washington Post |language=en-US |issn=0190-8286}}{{Cite web |date=2024-02-14 |title=Why Forms 45 and 47 are at the heart of Pakistan's election rigging controversy |url=https://indianexpress.com/article/explained/explained-global/form-45-pakistan-elections-controversy-9161589/ |access-date=2024-02-28 |website=The Indian Express |language=en}}{{Cite web |title=Pakistan official admits involvement in rigging election results |url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2024/2/17/pakistan-official-admits-involvement-in-rigging-election-results |access-date=2024-02-28 |website=Al Jazeera |language=en}} These allegations were spearheaded by the PTI, but were supported by the GDA. In response to the elections, the GDA, as well as its allies, the Jamaat-e-Islami, JUI-F and PTI rejected the elections as rigged.{{Cite news |date=2024-02-28 |title=Pakistan: GDA, JI and JUI-F reject February 8 polls, demand fresh elections |url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/international/world-news/pakistan-gda-ji-and-jui-f-reject-february-8-polls-demand-fresh-elections/articleshow/108068932.cms?from=mdr |access-date=2024-02-28 |work=The Economic Times |issn=0013-0389}}{{Cite web |last=NNI |date=2024-02-25 |title=PTI, GDA, JI say will observe 'black day' on 27th |url=https://www.brecorder.com/news/40290549 |access-date=2024-02-28 |website=Brecorder |language=en}}{{Cite web |last=Reporter |first=The Newspaper's Staff |date=2024-02-10 |title=GDA, Jamaat reject poll results |url=https://www.dawn.com/news/1812893 |access-date=2024-02-28 |website=DAWN.COM |language=en}} The alliance’s head Pir of Pagaro VIII alleged that the elections were rigged, and forfeited the two seats in protest.{{Cite web |date=2024-02-12 |title=Pir Pagara alleges rigging, forfeits two Sindh Assembly seats won by GDA |url=https://dunyanews.tv/en/Pakistan/791133-Pir-Pagara-alleges-rigging,-forfeits-two-Sindh-Assembly-seats-won-by-GDA |access-date=2024-02-28 |website=Dunya News |language=en}} The 2024 elections for the GDA are generally considered a defeat for the alliance, with it being overshadowed by the PPP and MQM-P according to some reports,{{Cite web |last=Ayub |first=Ishaq Tanoli {{!}} Mohammad Hussain Khan {{!}} Imran |date=2024-02-10 |title=Rise of Muttahida, GDA's defeat in election surprise voters in Sindh |url=https://www.dawn.com/news/1812902 |access-date=2024-02-29 |website=DAWN.COM |language=en}} However, the GDA and its allies attribute these results to rigging.{{Cite web |date=2024-02-27 |title=GDA intensifies protest against 'rigged' general elections |url=https://tribune.com.pk/story/2457732/gda-intensifies-protest-against-rigged-general-elections |access-date=2024-02-29 |website=The Express Tribune |language=en}}
== Subsequent protests ==
The Grand Democratic Alliance’s leadership launched large-scale protests and marches against the PPP government in protest of their alleged rigging in the 2024 elections.{{Cite web |date=2024-02-27 |title=GDA intensifies protest against 'rigged' general elections |url=https://tribune.com.pk/story/2457732/gda-intensifies-protest-against-rigged-general-elections |access-date=2024-03-25 |website=The Express Tribune |language=en}} The GDA declared February 27, the day of the election results as a ‘Black day’ and compared the Sindh elections to the 1970 elections where Sheikh Mujibur Rehman’s mandate was stolen.{{Cite web |last=NNI |date=2024-02-25 |title=PTI, GDA, JI say will observe 'black day' on 27th |url=https://www.brecorder.com/news/40290549 |access-date=2024-03-25 |website=Brecorder |language=en}} The protests were called a ‘million march’ by some sources and consisted of rallies and protests throughout rural Sindh, mainly in Karachi by GDA leaders. The anti-PPP protests and rallies were supported by the JUI-F, JI and PTI-SIC.
Member parties
The following individuals and political parties are part of the GDA:{{cite news |title=GDA to get registered with ECP, contest general election with full force |url=https://www.dawn.com/news/1365553 |access-date=25 July 2018 |work=Dawn |date=23 October 2017}}
= Parties joining later =
| class="wikitable sortable"
! colspan="3" |Name !Flag !National Leader !Main ideology !Political Position !Symbol |
| style="background:red;" |
! style="text-align:center;" |SUP ! style="text-align:center;" |{{Nowrap|Sindh United Party{{cite news|title=SUP joins GDA to make a stand against 'bad' governance|url=https://www.thenews.com.pk/print/1026574-sup-joins-gda-to-make-a-stand-against-bad-governance|access-date=3 January 2023 |work=The News International|date=3 January 2023}} | style="text-align:center;" |Syed Jalal Mehmood Shah | style="text-align:center;" |Sindhi nationalism | style="text-align:center;" |Left-wing | style="text-align:center;" |Car |
|---|
= Initial parties =
| class="wikitable sortable"
! colspan="3" |Name !Flag !National Leader !Main ideology !Political Position !Symbol |
| style="background:#B22222;" |
! style="text-align:center;" |QAT ! style="text-align:center;" |{{Nowrap|Qaumi Awami Tehreek | style="text-align:center;" |Ayaz Latif Palijo | style="text-align:center;" |Communism | style="text-align:center;" |Far-left | style="text-align:center;" |Whistle |
|---|
| {{party color cell|Pakistan Muslim League (F)}}
! style="text-align:center;" |PML(F) ! style="text-align:center;" |{{Nowrap|Pakistan Muslim League (F) | style="text-align:center;" |Sibghatullah Shah Rashdi | style="text-align:center;" |Islamic democracy | style="text-align:center;" |Centre-right | style="text-align:center;" |Rose |
| style="background:#FF0000;" |
! style="text-align:center;" |SNF ! style="text-align:center;" |{{Nowrap|Sindh National Front | style="text-align:center;" |Mumtaz Bhutto | style="text-align:center;" |Sindhi nationalism | style="text-align:center;" |Left-wing | style="text-align:center;" |{{centre|—}} |
| {{party color cell|Pakistan Peoples Party}}
! style="text-align:center;" |PPP-W ! style="text-align:center;" |{{Nowrap|Pakistan Peoples Party Workers{{cite news|author=Imran Mukhtar|url=https://www.firstpost.com/world/pakistan-general-election-grand-democratic-alliance-may-pose-formidable-challenge-to-ruling-ppp-in-sindh-4736861.html|newspaper=firstpost.com|title=Pakistan General Election: Grand Democratic Alliance may pose formidable challenge to ruling PPP in Sindh|date=14 July 2018}}}} | style="text-align:center;" |Safdar Abbasi | style="text-align:center;" |Populism{{cite web|url=http://countrystudies.us/pakistan/69.htm|title=Pakistan People's Party|website=countrystudies.us|accessdate=8 August 2014}} | style="text-align:center;" |Centre-left | style="text-align:center;" |Victory sign |
| {{party color cell|Pakistan Peoples Party}}
! style="text-align:center;" |PPP-SB ! style="text-align:center;" |{{Nowrap|Pakistan Peoples Party (Shaheed Bhutto){{cite news|author=Imran Mukhtar|url=https://www.firstpost.com/world/pakistan-general-election-grand-democratic-alliance-may-pose-formidable-challenge-to-ruling-ppp-in-sindh-4736861.html|newspaper=firstpost.com|title=Pakistan General Election: Grand Democratic Alliance may pose formidable challenge to ruling PPP in Sindh|date=14 July 2018}}}} | style="text-align:center;" |Ghinwa Bhutto | style="text-align:center;" |Secularism | style="text-align:center;" |Left-wing | style="text-align:center;" |Fist{{Cite web|title=ECP allots election symbols to 103 political parties {{!}} Pakistan Today|url=https://archive.pakistantoday.com.pk/2018/06/04/ecp-allots-election-symbols-to-103-political-parties/|access-date=2021-04-06|website=archive.pakistantoday.com.pk|date=4 June 2018 }} |
| style="background:#C80000;" |
! style="text-align:center;" |NPP ! style="text-align:center;" |{{Nowrap|National Peoples Party | style="text-align:center;" |Murtaza Jatoi | style="text-align:center;" |Secularism | style="text-align:center;" |{{centre|—}} | style="text-align:center;" |Hand saw |
= Former parties =
| class="wikitable sortable"
! colspan="3" |Name !Flag !National Leader !Main ideology !Political Position !Symbol |
| style="background:#00C000;" |
! style="text-align:center;" |PML(Q) ! style="text-align:center;" |{{Nowrap|Pakistan Muslim League (Q) | style="text-align:center;" |Shujaat Hussain | style="text-align:center;" |Conservatism | style="text-align:center;" |Centre-right | style="text-align:center;" |Tractor |
|---|
References
{{notelist}}
{{Reflist}}
{{Pakistani political parties}}
{{Pakistan topics}}
{{Authority control}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Grand Democratic Alliance}}
Category:2017 establishments in Pakistan
Category:Political party alliances in Pakistan