It appears that the Opposition may be at something of a crossroad as reports emerge that PML-N is reluctant to name PML-Q leader Pervaiz Elahi for Punjab Chief Minister’s portfolio.
To clarify, the Opposition is gearing up for a no-trust move against the government. For this, it is wooing the government allies, including the PML-Q led by the Chaudhrys of Punjab. To win the government alliance’s support, the Opposition is offering attractive portfolios should the no-trust move be successful.
Regarding this, PPP and JUI-F in the Opposition put forth the option of offering the seat of Punjab CM to Pervaiz Elahi of PML-Q. Moreover, the PML-Q, in a recent meeting with PPP Co-Chairperson Asif Zardari, directly demanded the Punjab CM seat, sources revealed.
Read more: Will PML-Q quit ruling alliance?
According to reports, the PML-Q told the Opposition that they would not “settle for anything less than the chief minister’s slot”. Reports also state that PML-Q assured the Opposition of supporting the no-trust move in exchange for the Punjab CM seat. However, reports also claim that PPP and JUI-F are persuading PML-N on the matter. On the other hand, PML-N sources state that it has not decided anything yet.
Deciding on Punjab CM not a priority: PML-N
Expressing concerns over the proposal of PPP and JUI-F, PML-N leader Mohammad Zubair said that Pervaiz Elahi cannot be the priority of his party for Punjab’s chief minister slot.
He made the comments while talking on a program for a private news channel. Nawaz Sharif’s spokesperson Mohammad Zubair it could not be our priority to hand over the CM seat to Pervaiz Elahi. He also added that “still there are many things that yet to be agreed upon.”
This is a rather interesting development as the seat of CM Punjab is the only move that PML-N has to win PML-Q’s support. Currently, the Opposition has 162 members. It needs 10 more votes to make the no-confidence motion a success in the National Assembly.
I was intimated by senior PMLN folks few days ago that no confidence against speaker NA was seemingly most probably first move by opposition. My question still remains, when you’ve got only one bullet to fire – do you practise fire or go for the kill?
— Meher Bokhari (@meherbokhari) February 23, 2022
In the Punjab Assembly, the PML-N has 165 members and PPP has seven members. On the other hand, the PML-Q has 10 members. Therefore, it is necessary for the Opposition to win PML-Q’s support, which would prove difficult if PML-N refuses to select Pervaiz Elahi as the next CM of Punjab.
Important to note, the PML-Q already publicly announced that it will not move against the PTI government. To clarify, earlier this month, PML-Q member Moonis Elahi, and son of Pervaiz Elahi, rejected joining the Opposition’s political misadventure against the PTI government.
Read more: PML-Q not leaving government: Moonis Elahi