LARKANA, March 13: Chairman Sindh National Front (SNF) Mumtaz Ali Bhutto said, “no one could accept the proceedings in camera of the Supreme Judicial Council (SJC) on reference against the Chief Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry.”

Talking to journalists in Mirpur Bhutto and Naudero on Tuesday, he said: “Why was the government avoiding open proceedings if it had solid proofs.”

Terming the incident uncalled for, he wondered why President opted for unconstitutional course when he had constitutional authority of sending the reference against the Chief Justice of Supreme Court of Pakistan.

It speaks that the democracy is a mere lip service, actually the Army rule exists here he said, adding the time demands elections for the new constituent assembly.

He would participate in the multi party conference (MPC) in London and has dispatched recommendations in advance to conveners, Mumtaz Bhutto said.

Ms Benazir Bhutto is not attending the MPC perhaps it could harm the on going dialogue between President General Musharraf and her party, he said. He opposed the division of Sindh but advocated the demand of Seraikis for a new province as they (Seraikis) had their land, language and identification he said.

Mumtaz Bhutto on Tuesday reached Naudero police station to meet his peasant Bakhshal Shaikh but he was not present in the judicial lockup. Police told him that he (the peasant) had been sent to the court for remand. He said the police was quick in arresting his peasant but was happy sitting with dacoits.

He said it delayed in filing a case in the high court against the DPO Larkana and other police officers due to the lawyers’ strike.

He evaded commenting on the registration of non-cognizable report against him at the Naudero police station by Nisar Bhutto president PPP City and Riaz Phlupoto the estate manager of Ms Benazir Bhutto.