TWO days after PML(N) staged a walkout from National Assembly protesting against Prime Minister Gilani's refusal to try Gen Musharraf, Mian Nawaz Sharif declared that the whole nation wanted to bring the former dictator to the dock. Thus a new issue has been added to the list of demands which contains striking down of 17th amendment and 58(2)b, implementing the CoD and resolving the issue of Balochistan. On Friday Mian Nawaz warned that if the government failed to anticipate the gravity of the situation and take corrective steps, the responsibility would lie with it. He had earlier stated that Musharraf's trial was needed to pacify the people of Balochistan who considered him responsible for the murder of Nawab Akbar Bugti. This led the President to state that people should avoid politicizing the Balochistan issue. Over the last few days sugar crisis has added another dimension to the differences between the two parties. Punjab Chief Minister has complained that his government was not consulted by Federal Minister for Industries while brokering an agreement with the PSMA. Refusing to accept the sugar price announced by Mr Wattoo, Mian Shahbaz has ordered the sale of sugar at Rs 40 per kg at Ramzan Bazars and Rs 47 at regular stores in the province. Disregarding what Mr Wattoo said about the negative impact of a punitive action, Punjab CM has ordered raids on mills and stockholders. The most recent controversy between the PPP and PML(N) concerns the appointment of LHC judges. Chief Justice Lahore High Court has sent his list of recommendations for filling up posts vacated after the SC verdict. The Governor is required to forward the list after incorporating his comments about the nominees to the federal government for onward submission to the Chief Justice of Pakistan. The PML(N) insists the Governor is bound under the Constitution to consult the CM but the Governor insists the CM has nothing to do with it. A more flexible attitude of the Governor could have stopped an unnecessary standoff. With the two major functionaries locking horns the appointments, which need to be urgently made in view of the shortage of judges are likely to be delayed. On Friday the Governor who never misses a chance to pick up quarrel with PML(N) also raised the issue of the Local Government elections. Conscious of the battle raging on the issue in Punjab between the Q-League and the PML(N), he said LG elections should be held. It is a matter of concern that within a year and a half of the elections the relations between the two mainstream parties should so badly deteriorate. One understands that the PPP and PML(N) are traditional rivals. They would however do well to keep their disputes within limits and avoid doing anything that could upset the applecart.