PESHAWAR, Aug 25: The Muttahida Majlis-i-Amal has asked the NWFP Assembly deputy speaker Ikramullah Shahid of JUI-Sami to resign. The differences deepened in the six-party religious alliance after Mufti Kifayetullah, a spokesman for the MMA , had accused the deputy speaker of criticizing the government policies in public meetings.

"The deputy speaker had violated the MMA manifesto by issuing statements against the government functionaries, therefore, he (Mr Shahid) should resign", Mr Kifayetullah said in a statement, issued here on Wednesday.

The spokesman said that the MMA would not allow any member of the provincial assembly or any other office-bearer to criticize the government policies in public meetings or issue controversial statement.

"We will think over other options, if the deputy speaker fails to explain his position or tender apology", Mr Kifayetullah told Dawn. He said that the deputy speaker would be welcomed to criticize the MMA government after relinquishing his present post.

When Mr Shahid approached he said that the provincial spokesman did not have any legal authority to call for his resignation. "A non-elected person cannot ask the elected deputy speaker of the assembly to tender his resignation", Mr Shahid said, adding that he was enjoying the confidence of the majority members of the House. He said he had discussed the matter with his party chief Maulana Samiul Haq.