PAN faces scrutiny over ‘Partai Anak Nahdliyin’ branding

The National Mandate Party (PAN) is facing scrutiny following its branding as the ‘Partai Anak Nahdliyin’ (The Party of Nahdliyin Children). This identity claim, introduced by PAN Chairman Zulkifli Hasan, has drawn mixed reactions from leaders within the Nahdlatul Ulama (NU) community.

GP Ansor East Java has criticized the narrative, demanding that PAN prove its commitment through concrete policies rather than political branding. Zainuddin, Deputy Secretary of Politics and Government for PW GP Ansor East Java, warned against using the Nahdliyin identity as a mere electoral instrument and urged the party to respect the historical roots of its predecessors. He specifically highlighted concerns regarding the placement and transfer of village assistants, which affects young NU cadres.

In contrast, H Yusuf Hidayat, Chairman of the Himpunan Santri Nusantara (HISNU), viewed PAN’s maneuvers as a clever political strategy. He noted that in politics, there is ‘no free lunch’ and suggested that the community should judge for themselves whether the party's approach provides actual benefits to the Nahdliyin people.