KARACHI, Oct 27: The PPP is engaged in dialogue with other political parties for the formation of government on the basis of its principled stands on the LFO, constitution and the democratic dispensation.

Speaking at a news conference at Bilawal House on Sunday, acting secretary-general of the PPP, Raza Rabbani, said the party “is in consultation with the Alliance for Restoration of Democracy (ARD), and our direction is correct. If necessary, we are prepared to sit in the opposition”.

But, so far it has not been finally decided because formation of government is PPP’s democratic right, as it polled more votes than other parties, he maintained.

He, nevertheless, was confident that in Sindh the PPP would form a stable government as a result of the ongoing dialogue.

Mr Rabbani told a questioner that Makhdoom Amin Fahim’s meetings with other political forces had the mandate of PPP chairperson Benazir Bhutto who was being kept informed about the developments.

He said once a date for the convening of assemblies and election of speaker and deputy speaker was announced, situation regarding the leader of the house would crystallise.

Rejecting federal law minister’s contention that the LFO had already become part of the 1973 Constitution and did not require validation by the parliament, he said, “It cannot become part of the Constitution unless validated by the assembly. Simply because the law minister says that, it cannot be part of the Constitution. No individual has the right to amend the Constitution. The parliament is supreme and it has the right to accept or reject them.”

He felt that delay in convening of the assemblies was part of a conspiracy and added that the latest amendment to the LFO, with regard to immunity from restriction on the former caretakers to contest for the top slot, has brought the cat out of the bag.

He said that continuing amendments to the LFO was also tailored to facilitate the king’s party (PML-Q) and to keep Benazir Bhutto out of political dispensation.

Recalling the PPP’s stand on rigging in elections, he said the regime indulged in pre-poll, poll day and post-poll rigging by changing results through manipulation of delayed announcements.

He specifically mentioned the case of PS-11, where PPP candidate Agha Tariq was declared winner by the RO, but the election commission notified Imtiaz Shaikh as elected. He said despite repeated requests by the PPP this manipulation of result had not yet been rectified.

He said that pre-poll rigging was done through amendments to laws to bring the PML (Q) to power. He reiterated the PPP’s allegations of provincial governors’ indulgence in the election campaign of the PML (Q) candidates and mentioned postings, transfers and allocation of development funds by the Punjab and Sindh governors to the advantage of the king’s party candidates.

Mr Rabbani alleged that PPP candidates in Punjab were pressured to either join the PML (Q) or remain independent. He said more than 80 letters had been sent to the chief election commissioner with specific instances but no remedy was provided.

He also cited reports of independent NGOs, Human Rights Commission of Pakistan and the European Union with regard to rigging. He also referred to piecemeal amendments to the laws with regard to independent and women’s seats.

The PPP acting secretary general also deplored the alleged victimisation of Gen Ahsan, the former Sindh health minister, after he decided to join the PPP.