SIALKOT, July 29: The ruling PML bigwig from Gujrat are in the limelight, as candidates of the divided groups for the local election in Sialkot are looking for their support.

Some known industrialists-turned-politicians are seen making frantic efforts to cash in on their ‘association’ with Chief Minister Chaudhry Pervaiz Elahi and Punjab PML President Chaudhry Shujaat Husain.

Independent political observers see a vital role in the local polls of the chief minister and the PML president because some industrialists were claiming their close relations with them.

All PML groups are looking towards the support of the chief minister who, however, has yet to give a green signal to any of them. Their differences were worsening day by day.

It is learnt that Pervaiz Elahi and Chaudhry Shujaat were in close contact with National Assembly Speaker Chaudhry Ameer Husain and Chaudhry Akhtar Ali Variyo, the head of his family.

Meanwhile, the local leaders of the MMA, the PML-N, the PPP and other opposition parties have expressed concern over the role of the Gujrat’s influential figures who, they said, were abusing their influence to ensure the PML-backed candidates’ victory in Aug 18 polls.

They have urged President Gen Pervez Musharraf and the chief election commissioner to take a serious notice of the ‘interference’ of the PML high command.