December 27, 2007	Thursday	Zilhaj 16, 1428

OKARA, Dec 26: Rift among local PML-Q leaders over party ticket distribution has deepened as former chief minister is arriving in Deepalpur on Dec 29 to address a public rally in favour of party’s candidate for NA-146, Rao Muhammad Ajmal, instead of party’s senior vice-president and independent candidate Mian Manzoor Ahmad Wattoo.

Wattoo was aspirant for a PML-Q ticket both for NA-146 and NA-147 but the party awarded him a ticket for NA-147 alone. Disgruntled Wattoo returned the PML-Q ticket for NA-147 and announced contesting the elections for twin constituencies independently from the platform of Taamir-i-Watan group.

Rao Ajmal, who belongs to Shah Muqeem group founded by former provincial minister Syed Afzaal Ali Shah, bagged the PML-Q ticket for NA-146 and former chief minister and PML-Q Punjab president Pervaiz Elahi is to address a public meeting on Saturday to muster support for Rao Ajmal and other party candidates.

Wattoo, who has been a staunch opponent of Shah Muqeem group, told Dawn on telephone that Pervaiz Elahi’s Dec 29 visit to Deepalpur would not strengthen Rao Ajmal’s position.

He said electorate of both the constituencies would elect him because of the services he had rendered for them.

Similarly, the PML-N is also facing internal differences in Deepalpur tehsil as important figure and former MNA Rao Qaiser Ali Khan, who is also a rival of his cousin Rao Ajmal, has also announced supporting PPP candidate for NA 146, Syed Abbas Raza Rizvi, instead of PML-N candidate Mian Sharif Zafar Joiya. Rao Qaisar’s support to Abbas Rizvi has weakened the PML-N candidate’s position substantially.