LAHORE, Feb 19: In what has been described here as the ‘battle for Punjab’ the Pakistan Muslim League-N has emerged as the single largest party in the Punjab assembly by securing 102 seats with the Pakistan People’s Party and PML-Q trailing behind with 78 and 66 seats, respectively, according to the unofficial results received from different districts of the province till Tuesday night.

Another 35 have been won by independent candidates and two by the Muttahida Majlis-i-Amal. Going by the results, it is clear that the PML-N will be in a comfortable position to form its government in the province with the help of either the PPP or the independents. Another possibility for the PML-N to form its government could emerge if it succeeds in causing large-scale defections in the PML-Q.

Out of 297 provincial constituencies, elections were held for 292 seats. Polling for the five was postponed due to deaths of candidates.

The collaboration between the PPP and the PML-N for forming a coalition government in Punjab depends largely on their ability to cooperate with each other at the centre. “It is easier for the two parties to cooperate with each other in Punjab than in centre,” said an analyst.

But, he warned: “The parties would not be able to form a coalition in Punjab unless they decide to cooperate and share power at the centre.”

None of the central or provincial leaders of the PPP or the PML-N could be contacted till late in the night for comments on their respective strategies for Punjab because all of them had switched off their cellphones.