LAHORE/ ISLAMABAD, Sept 27: The Alliance for the Restoration of Democracy may disintegrate, or become an unwieldy entity, after the death of Nawabzada Nasrullah Khan, who was the binding force for the coalition comprising parties of divergent shades of opinion, political sources say.

Similarly, the sources say, with the death of the elderly politician, chances of cooperation between the ARD and the MMA will get dimmer as no leader of the either alliance can serve as a bridge between them and make them work for the common goals — rejection of the LFO and the ouster of Gen Pervez Musharraf.

The immediate challenge faced by the ARD is the election of a new president. For the time being, PPP’s Makhdoom Amin Faheem, being the senior vice-chairman, will run the alliance. However, despite his commitment, he will not be able to devote as much time to the alliance as was given by the Nawabzada.

The Nawabzada, as he used to tell his colleagues, wore so many caps at the same time. “Although I criticize Gen Musharraf for centralization of all powers and wearing several hats at the same time, I also fall in the same category. I have given all alliance powers to myself — right from those of a peon to the president. I have to personally ring everybody before calling the coalition’s meeting,” the ARD president used to say in friendly complaints. But, such a devotion can’t be expected of Makhdoom Amin Faheem.

Makhdoom Amin Faheem told Dawn on Saturday by phone that the ARD would stay intact and continue to work for the agenda given by the Nawabzada.

He said ARD leaders would meet informally on Sunday (today) after the burial of Nawabzada Nasrullah Khan in Khangarh and exchange views about the situation. A date would be set for the next meeting of the alliance which would decide about the coalition’s future course of action, he said.

In response to a question, Makhdoom Amin Faheem said there was a complete harmony of thought between the PPP and the PML-N and they would continue to work together.

It is said that some people want to see Asif Ali Zardari as the new ARD president. The proponents of the idea argue that Mr Zardari would be a symbolic head while PML-N’s Javed Hashmi could be appointed acting president. This way, it is said, workers and leaders of both the major parties would be satisfied.

However, Mr Faheem does not confirm such reports. He said no such proposal was under consideration and he himself would lead the alliance till the formal election of a new chief.