A day after the top brass of the Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) revolted against his leadership, party chief Altaf Hussain issued a statement on Wednesday endorsing their decision to keep him away from party affairs. This development came even as the MQM’s candidate for the post of Mayor of Karachi, Waseem Akhtar, created history by winning the election from behind the bars. His election is a sign that despite the virtual ouster of Mr. Hussain, the MQM’s support base remains intact. On Wednesday, a chastened Mr. Hussain said in a statement he has handed over party affairs to the Coordination Committee. A speech by Mr. Hussain — on a self-imposed exile in London for 25 years— on Monday proved to be his undoing.

Source: The Hindu August 24, 2016 17:37 UTC