KARACHI, Jan 27: President of the Sindh Democratic Alliance (SDA) and the newly-elected member of the Sindh Assembly, Imtiaz Shaikh, downplaying his differences with the Chief Minister, Ali Muhammed Mahar, said on Monday that the Alliance wanted only implementation in full of the agreement under which the SDA had become a component of the ruling coalition.

“We have no conflict with the CM,” he said adding that at this critical juncture when Sindh was faced with problems, the SDA did not want to get bogged down in the portfolios controversy.

He, however, pointed out that he had twice contacted Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain for a solution to the problem.

Mr Shaikh, elected from Salim Jan Mazari’s constituency in the recent byelections, said that in his area, tribal feud had taken a very dangerous turn and hoped that the same would be taken up wisely soon.

He said that the SDA opposed Thal canal project and it would remain steadfast on its stand during debates in the national and provincial assemblies.

He told a questioner that he had not forced Ghalib Domki to withdraw from the contest.

Dr Arbab Rahim, a leader of the National Alliance, told newsmen that the demand for separate seating arrangement in the House was put on the hold after indulgence by the Senior Minister, Syed Sardar Ahmad, and Sadruddin Shah Rashdi who had pleaded against it as it would have sent misleading signals.

About the difference with the chief minister, Arbab Rahim was evasive on details but said: “when you are in a coalition, you have the right to be taken into confidence before any decision is taken by the colleagues.”

Dr Rahim said that the SDA would not like to disturb the government and would allow it more time before a reassessment of its position.