Making it loud and clear that Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif’s language at Bhaati Chowk had nothing to do with the party policy, the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz has changed altogether its “Go Zardari Go” campaign to recover from the political bouncer bowled by Imran Khan at Minar-e-Pakistan and cope with criticism from inside the party over the venue of PML-N’s rally at Bhaati Chowk, CM’s derogatory onslaught against the president and the abrupt rescheduling of planned rallies.
The party now plans to change the political game “by hook or crook” between mid-December and mid-January.
“The target is clear and it will be achieved even if we have to team up with the Chaudhys, Fazlur Rehman and other political forces in and outside parliament,” said a source in Raiwind.
The “Go Zardari Go” campaign has been shelved until after Muharram upon the return of PML-N President Nawaz Sharif, who is in London for medical check-up. His visit to London was not earlier planned, but was appended with his Turkey tour after he felt some pain in the chest and learnt about the birth of his grandson.
The extension came at a time when the party needed him and wanted him to address the Faisalabad rally on November 4.
Nawaz absence has left a bad taste in the mouth for his fans, workers and the general public. Some call it a natural handicap of Nawaz that he fails to strike at the right time.
They call it an inborn immaturity of Nawaz, showcased especially while dealing with Zardari. However, various groups feel that his close aides forced him into political blunders by showing him rosy pictures of bleak future and making him blind to political realities.
Nawaz has taken control of the upcoming rallies, directing party “diehards” and “firebrands” to cease all work related to anti-government campaign, a PML-N senior leader said. However, he ruled out the rumours that the Sharifs had shelved the agitation plan.
The PML-N has also distanced itself from Shahbaz Sharif’s abusive language and derogatory remarks against Zardari. “What Shahbaz said at Bhaati Chowk does not reflect the PML-N policy,” a close aide to Nawaz said.
PML-N Secretary Information Mushahidullah Khan said the “Go Zardari Go” drive would resume upon Nawaz’s return after Muharram.
Admitting that Imran Khan was an undeniable reality, he said the PML-N never ruled out Imran factor in politics and always considered him a reality even in the past. However, he said Imran was not a threat to the PML-N, as he would wreak havoc upon the PPP and others by hijacking their traditional vote bank in Southern Punjab.
PML-N distances itself from Shahbaz’s rant
