KARACHI, July 28: Asif Ali Zardari, the imprisoned husband of former prime minister Benazir Bhutto has said that as long as the Muttahida Majlis-i-Amal (MMA) sticks to its stated position on the Legal Framework Order (LFO), the opposition has no cause for concern.

Talking to newsmen here on Monday, after proceedings in the Murtaza Bhutto murder case were adjourned at the Karachi Central Prison, Mr Zardari refused to agree with a questioner that the MMA-government talks marked a split in the opposition ranks.

He did not believe that the government-MMA meeting, despite ARD’s boycott, had caused any breach in the opposition ranks and added that the MMA had its own opinions whereas the views of the PPP were those articulated by the Alliance for the Restoration of Democracy (ARD).

“As long as they stick to their stand and not compromise on the LFO and uniform, there is no problem. Negotiation is their prerogative. If they deviate from their stand, it will be a different matter,” said Mr Zardari.

He said the Centre had taken a contradictory stance. On the one hand it was saying that the LFO was part of the constitution yet on the other hand the government was ready to talk on contentious issues.

“The fact that they are prepared to talk on these issues means they acknowledge their illegality,” he said.

He appreciated the MMA’s stance and said that if the LFO was brought into parliament, talks could be held on the issue.

“Our position is very clear; we don’t accept one man’s right to amend the constitution nor are we prepared to give legitimacy to Gen Musharraf as president,” he said adding that the government was engaged in a time-gaining exercise.

He claimed that conflicting views of the regime’s “front-men” indicated that it was on the defensive against the political forces.

Mr Zardari said the negotiations were part of democratic dispensation and “we have not closed our doors”.

On the MMA’s relationship with the government, the imprisoned PPP leader said it was a “cat and mouse game” and claimed the regime was on the defensive owing to complications created by the Legal Framework Order (LFO).

Regarding the patriots and others who had deserted the party after being elected from its platform, Mr Zardari said the PPP and its supporters had mentally severed all links with them. It was only a question of completing certain technicalities.

Mr Zardari emphatically denied any “deal” with the government and termed it the “usual trap” of the establishment to weaken the political forces and to create misunderstandings.

He said that those against whom there were fraud cases had gone abroad, but he was not prepared to leave the country to oblige the establishment.

Replying to a question Mr Zardari said that if the party allowed he was prepared to contest against Gen Musharraf for the presidential slot.

RAIN: Mr Zardari expressed concern over the damages caused by the continuing rains especially in Sindh and urged the PPP cadre to set up relief camps and mobilize all sorts of assistance in different parts of the province.