LAHORE, Jan 21: The Alliance for Restoration of Democracy (ARD) demands that opposition leaders in the National Assembly and the Senate should be the persons who enjoy trust of a majority of opposition MPs.

In a press statement here on Wednesday, ARD deputy information secretary Munir Ahmad Khan argued that as the leader of the house was elected through a majority vote, the same rule should be applied for the slot of the opposition leader.

Responding to a claim by the MMA that 30 more ARD MPs would soon change their loyalties, he said the religious alliance should take care of itself as its two larger components - the Jamaat-i-Islami and the JUI-F - were locking their horns at share in the NWFP government.

He said had there been any chance of change in loyalties by ARD or PPP MPs, it could have happened before the 17th Amendment and then the government would not need MMA support for making a two-thirds majority to amend the Constitution.

Blaming the MMA for backing out of its commitments made in five all-party conferences at various occasions, he said the ARD was against the LFO deal because the MMA amended the LFO taking it as part of the Constitution.

Except jointly opposing the internal policy of the incumbent government, he said, there was no other common point between the two alliances. He denied that any contact with the US ambassador in Pakistan was made on the LFO issue or any of its leader was reprimanded by the diplomat.