LAHORE - Both the major parties – the PML-N and PPP –are trying their level best to win maximum support from other parties to get their candidates elected as the Senate chairman and deputy chairman.
But, so far, it is difficult to say who will carry the day as the parties with decisive role had been working with both the PPP and PML-N in the past and are keeping their options open for the last bout. The PML-N and PPP are holding meetings with other parties to win their support to get the crown of the upper house.
PPP co-chairperson, Asif Ali Zardari is holding meetings with some of his former coalition partners today (Monday) to get their support for the top slot in Senate. The JUI-F and MQM are the parties that can play a decisive role either for the PML-N or the PPP, while both Altaf Hussain and Maulana Fazlur Rehman have kept their options open to get the best political offer in return.
Talking to The Nation on Sunday, MQM senior leader Haider Abbas Rizvi said, “We are not in hurry to take decision in this regard. We are holding a meeting with the PPP high command on their invitation and the PML-N is also in contact with us at the same time.”
Rizvi remarked, “We’ll see whose offer suits our political needs; we are open to both the PPP and PML-N, and let’s see who emerges as the wiser of the two.”
When contacted, JUI-F spokesman and central leader, Jan Achakzai said, “We have listened to the PPP and PML-N leaderships and would make a decision keeping in view our needs in the political arena. We are keeping our options open and it is up to the PML-N and PPP to decide how serious they are to get our support.”
The ANP, one of the former coalition partners of the PPP, has so far emerged with a clear mind and announced its support for the opposition candidate.
Haji Adeel, ANP senior leader, when contacted said, “We’ll support the opposition candidate whether he is Raza Rabbani or someone else.”
When asked about Hasil Bazenjo, he remarked: Bazenjo is a good candidate and we can vote him too if the opposition agrees on his name.”
It is up to the MQM and JUI-F to solve jigsaw puzzle in next 50 to 60 hours as the election for the Senate crown to be held on March 12.