LAHORE, Jan 4: PML-N MNA Saad Rafiq says the ARD has the right to the opposition leader's slot in the National Assembly because of its numerical superiority over the MMA.

At a news conference here on Sunday, Saad said if the mantle went to the religious alliance's secretary-general, the status of the opposition would be no better than a 'pocket union's'.

Already, he said, the MMA was being ridiculed as "Mullah-Musharraf alliance" because of the role the MMA leaders played to facilitate the passage of the 17th constitutional amendment.

He said the MMA leaders had shot themselves in the foot by lending their shoulders to the ruling party in the adoption of the 17th amendment. Now, he said, it would not be easy for the religious alliance leaders to face their constituents.

He was critical of the government for the alleged pressure tactics it used to muster support for the amendment which in his opinion had defaced the Constitution.

The PML-N leader alleged that the government had caused an irreparable damage to the Kashmir cause by going for a unilateral ceasefire which emboldened India to construct a fence along the line of control. About the Indian prime minister's meeting with Gen Pervez Musharraf, he said it was aimed at exaltation of a dictator.