LAHORE, Feb 14: Despite PML-Q claims that it is going to win majority seats in the Feb 18 elections, leaders of the party are reported to be discussing a proposal to let the PPP and the PML-N to form government at the centre to see how they co-exist with President Pervez Musharraf.

Party sources said that the PPP and the PML-N would try to outmuscle the president without wasting much time and the latter would use his authority to undermine them.

As a result, a new crisis would emerge soon after the polls in which the PML-Q would have nothing to lose, sources quoted a senior party leader as saying.

“We’ll happily sit on the opposition benches in case we do not get the majority and let the other form the government,” the central leader said, adding that a PPP-PML-N coalition would be a non-starter in the prevailing situation.

The PPP believes that because of the party’s popularity and the sympathy factor after the assassination of Ms Bhutto it will conveniently get majority seats to form its government at the centre.

However, the PPP sources are yet to spell out their policy about working with President Musharraf.

While the PPP’s public stance is that “we’ll cross the bridge when it comes”, privately its leaders admit that the party is divided on the issue.

“Some people are in favour of working with President Musharraf but others are strongly opposed to the idea,” one leader said, adding that a final decision would be taken by the central executive committee.

Answering a question, he said the party would not give a blanket indemnity to the steps taken by President Musharraf on and after Nov 3.

The PPP would not validate the removal of judges or the promulgation of Pemra laws, he said, adding, however, that steps taken to run day-to-day matters would be validated.

Asked why would the PPP not adopt a uniform approach for all the steps taken by the president on or after Nov 3, he said, the party would have to see the policy of other parties.

He indicated that the PPP might refuse to accept the results if the elections were rigged.

Replying to a question, he said the PPP was an anti-Musharraf party and there should be no doubt about it.

The PML-N has already declared that it would not cooperate with President Musharraf at any cost.