QUETTA: Because of differences among PML-N MPAs-elect over the selection of Balochistan’s next chief minister, National Party chief Dr Abdul Malik Baloch has appeared as a strong candidate for the post.

According to sources, the PML-N leadership has decided to give the post to Dr Baloch and its leader Mian Nawaz Sharif is likely to nominate him as joint candidate of his party, NP and Pakhtunkhwa Milli Awami Party (PkMAP) in a few days.

But, according to TV channel reports, a spokesman for the PML-N has said that the party has not taken any decision so far.

Earlier, the PML-N, PkMAP and NP, who have a majority in the Balochistan Assembly, had decided to form a coalition government and authorise PML-N chief Mian Muhammad Nawaz Sharif to select chief minister.

Sardar Sanaullah Zehri and Nawabzada Jangez Marri of the PML-N emerged as candidates for the post but the MPAs-elect of the party failed to reach a consensus in this regard with half of them supporting Mr Zehri and others backing Mr Marri.

The PML-N held several meetings in Lahore and Raiwind to break the deadlock but failed to do so despite its leadership’s efforts to convince the MPAs-elect to agree on one name.

The situation paved the way for the appearance of Dr Baloch as a candidate for the post with the support of the PkMAP. Both the parties have 18 MPAs-elect. The PML-N alone has 14 MPAs-elect.

But, sources in the PML-N claim that the party’s high command has not yet taken a final decision and insist that the next chief minister will be from their ranks. The name of Sardar Muhammad Saleh Bhootani is being discussed for the post by the party, according to them.

Meanwhile, Sardar Zehri has denied differences with Nawabzada Marri over the issue.