The PML-N and the PML Likeminded group are most likely to announce their political alliance today (Monday). The leaders from both parties are scheduled to meet in Raiwind in the evening, a PML-N leader revealed. The Likeminded group would hold talks under the leadership of Salim Saifullah who will be accompanied by other members of the group. The Likeminded group that broke away from the former ruling party, the PML-Q after the 2008 elections, has been vying to make alliance with the PML-N since long while maintaining their separate identity. Some of their members have joined the PTI. Sources privy to the meeting said it was most likely that both parties would enter into an alliance keeping in view the coming elections in the country.
“The PML-N is not very interested in the merger or the participation of the Likeminded group in the party,” claimed one PML-N leader from Islamabad. “Most Likeminded group members do not even have a constituency of their own,” he added. Recently, the PML-N leadership has given a real cold shoulder to Akhtar brothers by refusing to give the Senate ticket to them. Initially, it was announced that the PML-N would give Senate ticket to Haroon Akhtar and this announcement was also being reported in local newspapers. However, the PML-N later changed its mind and awarded the ticket to someone else.