TOBA TEK SINGH, Sept 25: The rift between former district nazim Chaudhry Muhammad Ashfaq and ruling party-backed district nazim candidate Chaudhry Abdul Sattar could not end even after withdrawal of nomination papers by the former.

About three weeks ago, Punjab chief minister had reportedly mediated between the two groups in Lahore and nominated Mr Ashfaq’s younger brother Mian Javed Iqbal as PML-backed candidate for tehsil nazim slot. The chief minister had got assurance from Mr Ashfaq that he would not contest for Toba district nazim slot.

Despite the decision, Chaudhry Ashfaq had filed nomination papers for the slot as a ‘covering candidate’ of Chaudhry Sattar, who complained to chief minister about the move. Mr Sattar argued that as his son Farrukh Sattar was his covering candidate so there was no justification for Mr Ashfaq’s filing of papers. However, on chief minister’s interference, Mr Ashfaq had withdrawn his papers.

Meanwhile, Gojra MNA Chaudhry Amjad Ali Warraich told a meeting of nazims, naib-nazims and councillors belonging to his group from Toba Tek Singh tehsil on Saturday that Chaudhry Ashfaq was opposing his younger brother Chaudhry Khalid Warraich despite his nomination for Gojra tehsil nazim slot by PML leadership.

The MNA warned if the situation persisted his group would not vote for Mian Javed Iqbal (brother of Mr Ashfaq) for Toba tehsil nazim slot. He also said that he would request the chief minister to withdraw party support to Mian Javed as Mr Ashfaq was violating party discipline.

Chaudhry Sattar, speaking on the occasion, alleged that Mr Ashfaq had indirectly fielded PPP’s Begum Neelum Jabbar as a candidate against him. He also accused Mr Ashfaq and his close associates of campaigning secretly for Begum Jabbar.

A close friend of Chaudhry Ashfaq refuted the allegations and claimed that Mr Ashfaq was fully supporting all PML-backed candidates.