TOBA TEK SINGH, Sept 13: In a surprise move, Chaudhry Muhammad Ashfaq on Tuesday filed nomination papers for his former office of district nazim despite his earlier announcement to withdraw his candidature for the slot.

Earlier, on Sunday night Mr Ashfaq had hosted a dinner for the ruling PML district nazim candidate Chaudhry Abdul Sattar and Punjab Forest Minister Dr Ashfaqur Rehman after mediation by Punjab chief minister to reconcile the two groups.

Chaudhry Ashfaq had announced in his speech on the occasion to withdraw his candidature on the direction of PML-Q high command.

Reports said Mr Ashfaq changed his decision after spending a day in Lahore on Tuesday. The move was a big surprise for political circles and changed the poll scenario in the district.

Others who filed nomination papers for district nazim slot included ruling party candidate Choudry Abdul Sattar, his covering candidate Farrukh Sattar, PPP leader Begum Neelum Jabbar and PML-N district secretary Rana Muhammad Anwar.

For Toba tehsil nazim slot, seven candidates filed papers, including ruling party candidate Javed Iqbal (brother of Choudry Ashfaq), his covering candidate Kashif Ashfaq (son), Qazi Ghiasuddin Janbaz, PML-N district president Amjad Javed, MMA district president Dr Zahid Sattar, former tehsil nazim Muhammad Rafiq and Amjad Khalid.

For Kamalia tehsil nazim slot six candidates filed papers including ruling party candidate Mahmood Jat, former tehsil nazim Akhtar kirmani, former Punjab minister Pir Ali Raza, Sardar Saeed Anwar, Asad Abbas and Khalid Sardar.

For Gojra tehsil nazim slot, five candidates filed papers including ruling party candidate Khalid Warraich, Asad Zaman Cheema, former MPA Ihsanul Haq Gujjar and Mian Tariq Mahmood.

More than 300 candidates filed papers for reserved seats for peasants, women and minorities in the district.