LAHORE, Sept 12: Failure of strike has broken the back of those resorting to politics of agitation, claimed Punjab Chief Minister Pervaiz Elahi here on Monday. He was talking to journalists after the oath-taking ceremony of the Acting Governor Justice Iftikhar Hussain Chaudhry.

These agitators wanted to get political mileage by weakening the country, the chief minister said and claimed that the PML had turned out to be the largest democratic party which granted complete freedom of expression to its workers and leaders. The party was also playing a commendable role in promoting democracy in the country, he said.

He said two phases of local polls had been completed successfully with around 50 per cent turnout. Big participation in these elections, he said, was an expression of people’s confidence in devolution policies of Gen Pervez Musharraf.

Later, the chief minister met MPs belonging to Nankana Sahib district. He told the parliamentarians that local bodies system had proved to be the best so far in solving people’s problem at local level.

The PML is carrying forward agenda of people’s welfare and its decisions were being taken after due consultation, he said.

CANDIDATES: The chief minister on Monday declared Pir Mumtaz Shah as PML-backed candidate for district nazim slot in Nankana Sahib, while Shahzad Khalid was nominated for Nankana Sahib tehsil nazim. He also nominated Malik Azam for Sangla Hill tehsil nazim and Shahid Haider for Shahkot tehsil nazim.