LAHORE, Feb 25: The PML-N sees snap polls within a year as its talks with the PPP for government formation, both in the centre and in Punjab, remain inconclusive.

“The present assemblies will not go beyond six months," a source quoted PML-N president and party's candidate for Punjab chief ministership Mian Shahbaz Sharif as saying.

The source said that differences between the PML-N and the PPP over future political set-up had led Mr Sharif to reach the conclusion.

According to him, nothing was finalized in the meeting party's patron Mian Nawaz Sharif held with PPP co-chairperson Asif Ali Zardari in Islamabad.

The PML-N, he said, offered support to the PPP in forming government at the centre but without seeking any share in the cabinet and sought reciprocation from the PPP in the same manner for its government in Punjab.

But Mr Zardari talked of a “package deal” in that the PML-N should have share in the federal cabinet and the PPP in Punjab, he said, adding the party saw the meeting nothing but "a chance for Mr Zardari to enhance his political weight".

Restoring the Constitution as it was on Oct 12, 1999 and leaving the issue of reinstating the deposed judges up to the parliament were the other offers included in the package Mr Zardari was suggesting.

To the disliking of the Sharifs, some PPP leaders from the southern Punjab are rather trying to form their party's government in the province too and are busy in political maneuvering, he said.

Some people in the PML-N who also believe that the existing assemblies will not survive long are in favour of sitting on opposition benches in the Punjab too, arguing that the party will be unable to deliver on any front in this short span of time.