LAHORE, Sept 6: Gloating over the election of Asif Zardari, PPP’s Senior Minister Raja Riaz on Saturday accused the provincial PML-N government of using all negative tactics to ensure the victory of its presidential candidate in Punjab.

Talking to reporters after the announcement of election results in the Punjab Assembly, he said for the time being the PPP had no plan to move a no-confidence motion against the PML-N government. “But since the PML-N did not withdraw its presidential candidate, we will now make our own strategy.”

He said the time would tell as to who would sit in on opposition benches. “No-one can refuse government if it is given to him,” he said when asked whether the PPP could assume power in Punjab.

He said Zardari had been elected president with a thumping majority and through a democratic process for the first time in the history of the country.

“We congratulate him on his election which has proved our claim that he enjoys the support of all provinces and is the most popular and sagacious leader in the country,” he said. He also congratulated Sindh, Balochistan and the NWFP assemblies for electing Zardari as president.

Targeting the PML-N government in Punjab, he alleged that it used all official machinery and methods to secure votes for its candidate. He said the PPP had evidence to prove the claim. —

Staff Reporter