May 7, 2005	Saturday	Rabi-ul-Awwal 27, 1426

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LAHORE, May 6: Asif Zardari has alleged that the government has prepared a pre-poll rigging plan for the forthcoming local body elections. Talking to reporters at the Bilawal House here on Friday, the PPP leader warned the government not to act upon the plan otherwise it would be held accountable for each and every (rigged) ballot.

Punjab information secretary Naveed Chaudhry and chairperson Benazir Bhutto’s spokesman Munawwar Anjum were also present.

Mr Zardari said the attempts to crush the media were part of the pre-poll rigging plan.

He called for shunning differences by all democratic forces to join hands for countering the ‘attempts’ to change geographical borders of the country.

He denied that there were any differences among the ARD constituents, of which the PPP is the largest party.

“There were petty matters and such things happened everywhere.”

He said his dialogue offer had been misunderstood. Had he planned to become the prime minister he would not have undergone imprisonment for eight years and Ms Bhutto would not have gone into exile, he added.

The PPP leader said an undemocratic system was in vogue in the country, the ruling party was divided into factions, the chances of a fourth prime minister were looming large (and the situation demanded a dialogue with those wielding powers).

Referring to registering of cases against PPP leaders, he said he who changed loyalty was given a clean bill of health and all questions (if any) on their educational credentials and alleged financial wrongdoings were rubbed off.

He warned that even if the government registered cases against 200,000 workers of the party it would not deviate from its principled stands.