LAHORE, June 10: The People's Party Parliamentarians (PPP) has changed its candidate for the PP-276 bypoll. The name of Saleem Bhatti has been withdrawn in favour of Iftikhar Cheema, an independent candidate who has joined the party.

Provincial president Qasim Zia told a press conference here on Thursday that the decision had been taken with the consent of Mr Bhatti whom he described as a party loyal. He told a questioner that unlike the MMA, the party would not demand bypolls under the army. "Our activists are capable enough to check rigging."

About differences between the PPP and the PML-N over fielding a joint candidate for PP-156 (Lahore) byelection, he said talks on the subject were going on between the two ARD components.

"We are trying to convince the Leaguers to withdraw their nominee because our aspirant is better placed in the constituency." The Lahore coordination committee of the PPP has already formed a 'central election cell' under the chair of Khalid Kharal and nominated people to run campaign for the four constituencies where polling scheduled for June 20.

Zaka Ashraf will take care of Riaz Dahar's canvassing for PP-269, Yousaf Raza Gilani for Ijaz Gill in PP-275, Jehangir Badr for Iftikhar Cheema in PP-276, and Qasim Zia for Ibad Mahmood in PP-156.