LAHORE, Dec 24: As elections for Senate and the PML-Q presidentship draw near, efforts for reunification of splinter groups have been intensified.
It has been learnt that the Chaudhrys from Gujrat have put forward three conditions for unification with the PML-N – the party’s provincial presidentship, keeping current members of the PML-Q central working committee in the unified CWC and involving some UK-based “friends as guarantors”. According to Q-Leaguers, Ijazul Haq and Gohar Ayub Khan recently held a meeting with Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif to convey the conditions. Later, the proposals were later thoroughly discussed by some PML-N leaders.
A strong group, comprising the second tier of the PML-N leadership has been resisting reunification as it fears erosion of influence. They claim “higher moral ground”, saying turncoats should not be allowed to re-enter the party.
Moral pretensions aside, expediencies have put tremendous pressure on both factions to “reunify before it is too late”.
If the PML-N leaders are disqualified, they know their bargaining position will weaken. They are also under pressure to absorb the PML-Q before Senate elections and improve their numerical strength in the Senate.
The constant pressure exerted by the PPP on the Punjab government is also a source of irritation, which could well be taken care of if the Q-League falls in line.
On the other hand, PML-Q leaders know that their position vis-à-vis the PML-N would be undermined after the Senate elections in March. The Chaudhrys are also aware that their party faces a split whenever elections for presidentship are called and nomination of Chaudhry Pervaiz Elahi is formalised. This may further compromise their position, they fear.
According to sources, compulsions on both sides are compelling enough to drive both factions closer.
Ijazul Haq says: “Such efforts are under way because political workers on both sides want it. But it is still too early to talk about conditions, let alone putting them formally. But things are crystallising and hopefully would become clear soon.”
He confirmed that PML-Q had been in touch with PML-N leaders but Mian Nawaz Sharif has not entered the scene so far.
“One hopes that things improve sooner than later because that is the need of the hour. By uniting, both parties can put up an effective opposition in the centre and stabilise the government in Punjab.”
Chaudhry Zaheeruddin Khan of the PML-Q claimed reunification efforts show “both parties share the same culture and same ideological leanings”.
“Different proposals have been discussed at different times but nothing has materialised.”
However, Ahsan Iqbal, PML-N’s information secretary, denied that formal contacts had been made between the two parties but conceded “individual contacts” had taken place”.
Talking to Dawn, he claimed that the PML-Q had missed an “opportunity” when it refused to withdraw its presidential candidate.