It’s a dream come true for the PML(Q). The Chaudhrys of Gujrat, virtually in the political wilderness since their party’s rout in the last election, seemed to have exacted the maximum possible concessions from the PPP in their meeting with President Zardari with both sides firming up the alliance plan under a power-sharing deal to be signed soon. That the President has agreed to create the post of Deputy Prime Minister for Ch Pervez Elahi besides allocating 10 cabinet slots, five minister and five ministers of state, and an advisership to the PML(Q), comes as a little surprise since the Chaudhrys have been claiming that it is the national interest rather than any personal or political consideration that has compelled them to become part of the proposed “national reconciliation government.”
Makhdoom Faisal Saleh Hayat’s presence at the meeting was significant but it cannot be said with certainty whether the PML(Q) leadership has neutralised intra-party opposition to the idea of forming an alliance with the PPP. The other side also seems to be confronting a similar situation. Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani was conspicuous by his absence at Friday’s meeting at Presidency. Not only did he stay away, he told the media in Multan the same evening that the Chaudhrys were directly negotiating the power-sharing deal with the President and he would be briefed about the issue afterwards.
The power-sharing between the PML(Q) and the PPP will help the latter in the smooth passage of budget and in taking unpopular decisions on the economic front which it couldn’t take in the past due to the blackmailing of its junior partners and ambivalence of the not-so-unfriendly opposition. The two parties are still in the process of fine-tuning the rules of engagement amidst reports that the office of deputy PM is being created to curtail Mr Gilani’s powers. However, if the new set-up is aimed at tackling the challenges facing the country it has to be a long-term arrangement with all mainstream parties on board.
This deal may help the Chaudhry's to bail out their scion, who has been caught red handed in doing what the family is known to do best, which is PLUNDER. But as far as the PPP is concerned, they will lose a lot, except perhaps getting the budget through. While this is not a healthy alliance for the two parties, with their traditional manifestos and history, it is the most natural of alliances between the individuals namely Asif Zardari, Ch Shujaat and Ch Pervaiz Elahi, who have a lot in common viz a viz their financial track records and wheeling dealing.
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