PML-Q inclined to join PML-N, as PPP left alone

Islamabad, Aug 29 : In the run up to the Pakistan presidential elections, the PPP seems to be left in the cold as the other key parties, mainly the PML-N and the PML-Q are reluctant to enter into an electoral understanding with it and have declared their own candidates.

Though, presently PPP presidential nominee Asif Ali Zardari seems to be comfortably placed as far as the number game is concerned, but the ongoing fast pace of political developments in the country might result in different political equations in the days to come.

Last evening, both the PPP and the PML-N stepped up efforts to win over the PML-Q, but the latter showed inclination towards the League-N.

Also, PPP Co-chairman Asif Ali Zardari rang up PML-N chief Nawaz Sharif in an attempt to win back the estranged ally, seeking his support in the presidential election, but Nawaz is learnt to have declined the offer. "Nawaz politely turned down Zardari's request and said his party had fielded a non-partisan and respectable candidate" in line with the agreements the two parties had made, reported the Daily Times.

Nawaz told his party members that the party had no rivalry with the PML-Q, even as senior PML-N leaders briefed him on their contacts with the League-Q.

PML-Q president Shujaat Hussain told a press conference in Islamabad that PML-N presidential candidate Saeeduz Zaman Siddiqui had met him for support. "But, I told him that if his party asks us for support, then we will decide," he added.

Also on Thursday, Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani made a phone call to PML-Q Punjab President Chaudhry Pervaiz Elahi and sought his party's support for Zardari. Sources privy to the conversation said Elahi declined and said his party would support its own candidate.

Meanwhile, PML-N Sindh president Ghaus Ali Shah said that the PML-N's alliance with the PML-Q "seems natural".

Shah said that the PML-N had contacts with both the PPP and the PML-Q, but ideologically, it was closer to the latter, added the paper.

ANI