Contrary to the Chaudhrys’ posturing that there was almost complete consensus within the PML-Q regarding an alliance with the PPP, the party’s Secretary General Mushahid Hussain is still resisting the move. “Mushahid Hussain is strongly opposing the Chaudhrys’ move to join the PPP-led coalition government,” said a source in the party, adding that he was also not a runner in the race to secure any important slot in case both parties clinched a power-sharing deal.
The source said in the intra-party consultation meetings, which were being attended by only a few top party leaders, Mushahid opposed the idea. “He cannot oppose the move publicly as he does not want to offend the Chaudhrys at this time when they have made their mind to shake hands with the PPP… particularly Pervaiz Elahi who is a staunch supporter of joining the ruling coalition,” the source said. He said Mushahid’s opposition to the power-sharing deal between the PPP and the PML-Q for the last many months had developed friction between Mushahid and Elahi too.
“They even exchanged hot words on a few occasions,” the source said, adding that it was the reason that some party MNAs, particularly women parliamentarians from reserved seats, who were under Mushahid’s influence, were also resisting the move openly. The source said Mushahid’s name for the adviser to the prime minister on foreign affairs or Pakistan’s permanent representative to the UN under the PPP-PML-Q power-sharing deal was being floated by either anti-Mushahid PML-Q leaders or by the PPP circles to damage his reputation.
