TAXILA: The group of PML-N members of the Taxila Municipal Committee (MC) who brought about a no-confidence motion against the chairman and vice chairman of the committee, both of whom belonged to their own party, have now developed differences with PTI members over nominations for the same two seats, elections on which are scheduled for Jan 17.

When they were launching the no-confidence motion, both the PML-N and PTI members had agreed that should the move become successful, the chairmanship will be given to Sheikh Waheedudin, the leader of the PML-N group which had started the motion, and the vice-chairman’s seat will go to a PTI member.

Before the ouster of the two leaders of the house, MC had 30 members, 12 members belonging to PTI and 18 to PML-N.

Nine PML-N members formed a group after developing differences with the chairman and vice chairman from their own party over the award of development schemes.

The no-confidence motion against PML-N backed chairman Mehmood Hussain Shah and vice-chairman Zeeshan Butt were moved to the Local Government and Community Development secretary by members of the treasury benches from the PML-N and were backed by members of the opposition benches on April 21.

The motion sought the appointment of a representative for the completion of legal procedure as the opposition group said they had the required support- 16 councillors out of 30- to submit a no-confidence move.

The no-confidence session was presided over by Punjab Local Government and Community Development Rawalpindi District Deputy Director Malik Abid.

The mover of the motion had 21 signatories from opposition and treasury benches and the motion was adjourned successful.

Differences developed between the PML-N and PTI members after the election schedule was announced and nomination papers were filed by both groups for the seats.

Talking to media persons, PTI member Malik Mohammad Pervaiz claimed the PML-N members had breached the agreement while PML-N member Sheikh Waheedudin said it was the PTI which violated the understanding and announced to nominate a candidate for chairman.

He claimed that members of the ruling party say PTI has formed the federal and provincial government and that the chairman should also therefore be from the party so fund allocation and posting and transfer matters are smoother.

On the other hand, the nine PML-N members have joined the party benches once again as the election draws near.

“We have joined the party bench to maintain our numerical strength in the house,” Mr Waheedudin said.

Published in Dawn, December 11th, 2018