11 September 2004	Saturday	25 Rajab 1425

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PESHAWAR, Sept 10: Cracks seem to have emerged in the NWFP chapter of the ruling PML, as one of the party leaders Ihsanullah has challenged the electoral status of provincial party president Syed Ali Shah , saying he would contest election against him.

Addressing a press conference here on Thursday, he cited some clauses of the party constitution to claim that the election of Mr Shah as PML's provincial chief was illegal and in contravention of the party constitution.

He alleged that ignoring the set rules, Mr Shah issued press statements that the party's provincial council had been dissolved, and later announced that a new council had been formed which would elect him as PML provincial president.

But contrary to this announcement, he invited some like-minded friends to his house and through them ensured his election, he alleged. He claimed that all party MPAs had reservations about Mr Shah.

This was the reason why they had refused to attend a meeting with party president Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain while on the same day, all the 10 MPAs had called on Mushahid Hussain in Islamabad.

He said that in the face of an open challenge from some party stalwarts, Mr Shah had started issuing press statements in favour of MMA government. Mr Ehsan also alleged that Mr Shah, while disregarding party rules, had reportedly established contacts with PML-N group.

His statements criticizing the Wana operation and lending support to jailed PML-N leader Javed Hashmi were a testimony to this. He challenged Mr Shah to hold a public debate with him.

He also announced that he will contest elections against him for the party's top provincial slot. He appealed to the party's leadership to take notice of 'illegal election' of Mr Shah and ensure fair and transparent elections.