HYDERABAD, Dec 22 Two leaders of the People’s Party Parliamentarians, MNAs Syed Khurshid Ahmed Shah and Syed Naveed Qamar, have said that President Gen Musharraf’'s bid to get himself re-elected through the present parliament will create a political crisis in the country.

Talking to Dawn at the marriage ceremony of PPP leader Maula Bux Chandio’s son, they said that if the regime resorted to any ‘unconstitutional measure before next year's general elections,’ the PPP would keep its options open, including agitation and boycott.

“I believe that he (Gen Musharraf) will have no control over the situation arising out of his re-election as opposition parties may form a grand alliance,” said Mr Shah. He added that there was no justification for the assembly to re-elect the president as it was about to complete its term.

To a question regarding PPP's participation in the elections, he said that if the Election Commission was made stronger and neutral with the appointment of a sitting judge of the Supreme Court, then his party would participate in the polls. Such an arrangement could ensure holding of free elections, he added.

He evaded a question whether the PPP would be joining caretaker government. “It’s up to the party to decide,” he replied. He, however, said that the setting up of a caretaker government was necessary before polls.

He wondered why President Musharraf had once again raised the issue of Kalabagh dam after making a U-turn on the same.

Speaking about different options of his party, MNA Naveed Qamar said that foremost demand of his party was free and fair elections and it was up to civil society and international community to put pressure on the government for holding elections in a transparent manner.

“We have asked our workers to gear up for the elections although past record show that holding of fair elections is a remote possibility. That's why the PPP had kept all options open.”

He said that if fair elections were held even under Musharraf, his party would participate but anything unconstitutional would be opposed strongly.

He said that at times some opposition parties played to the tune of the government and referred to the passage of 17th constitutional amendment.

He said that present situation had badly affected the country's economy and despite tall claims about increasing growth rate, no such thing was witnessed.