Despite the PML-N having initiated preparations for elections in Punjab, its two main allies, the PPP and the PML-Q (Shujaat faction), remain clueless of any seat adjustment formula, and are yet to be a part of the poll drive.
Last week, PML-N had announced it will start shortlisting suitable candidates and organising workers conventions to galvanise its support base. However, the party’s allies from Punjab were still apparently waiting for the PTI to formally announce a date for dissolving the assemblies.
Both parties are not aware of any seat adjustment arrangement nor have they sought any clarity in this regard from their ally the PML-N, according to leaders that The Express Tribune talked to.
According to a PPP MPA, no seat adjustment formula has been finalised till now. He said they were not aware how many seats the PML-N would spare for the PPP and whether there would be any seat adjustment.
He said the PPP was waiting for a formal announcement of dissolution of assemblies to begin preparing for the elections.
He maintained that the PML-N should have relayed information to the PPP if it intended to go for seat adjustment so that the party could start laying the groundwork for the election campaign.
Noting that the party wanted to expand its presence in Punjab, the PPP leader said that the number of seats for the polls was to be decided.
He observed that the economic situation would pose a serious challenge to the PML-N during the elections and hoped that the party would be able to cope up with it by then.
An office-bearer of the PPP said that these arrangements would be decided by party Co-chairman Asif Ali Zardari.
A well-placed source in the PML-Q maintained that they were clueless about any seat adjustment formula. He said besides the seats with the Pervaiz Elahi camp, the PML-Q would want provincial assembly seats for itself.
He said until now they had an understanding with the PML-N on the National Assembly seats, conceding that agreement was reached prior to Pervaiz Elahi’s decision of joining the PTI, but hoped that the PML-N would honour their commitment since PML-Q “principally stood by them”.
He said a member of Chaudary Shujaat’s immediate family wanted to contest election from the provincial assembly, adding that the “intent was there”.
The ties between the Chaudhry brothers of Gujrat had snapped off earlier this year after the Elahi faction sided with PTI Chairman Imran Khan amid the high political drama leading up to the latter’s ouster. The Shujaat group, on the other hand, decided to throw weight behind the PDM.
The source said that there was no understanding with Pervaiz Elahi camp, however the differences between them were not irreconcilable, adding that as of now all the PML-Q MPAs were with Elahi.
He said if these differences continue Pervaiz Elahi camp could part ways with them, adding that registering a new party was not a difficult task.
However, he said as of now, they were not eyeing the seats with Elahi camp, as these seats were seen to be theirs.
He said there were “bright chances”, that even in case of a difference, they would not pitch candidate on other turf.
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