ISLAMABAD - President Asif Ali Zardaris meeting with former deputy speaker National Assembly Haji Muhammad Nawaz Khokhar Tuesday night has given major twist to the pre-elections politics ostensibly to counter PML-Ns deepening blitz against the ruling PPP. Sources privy to these developments told TheNation that President Asif Ali Zardari has persuaded the former legislator from Islamabad to join the ranks of the PPP. However Haji Nawaz Khokhar rejected the President Zardaris offer on the pretext that he would remain part of the PML-Q, sources quoted him as telling the PPP co-chairman. When contacted for his comments, former deputy speaker and federal minister confirmed to TheNation that he had a meeting with the President and had discussed overall political situation with special reference to Rawalpindi division. Answering to a question, he said he has told the President that he would contest next elections on the tickets of his party the PML-Q. To another question, Haji Nawaz Khokhar said he has decided to contest next general elections from Islamabad while his son Mustafa Nawaz Khokhar, Advisor to the Prime Minister on Human Rights, would challenge the Leader of Opposition in the National Assembly Ch Nisar Ali Khan in Rawalpindi district. According to the informed sources, Haji Nawaz Khokhar has been successful in making in-roads in NA-52 to challenge the political hegemony of Ch Nisar Ali Khan. Similarly, Haji Nawaz Khokhar is likely to contest next elections against Dr Fazal Chaudhry MNA from NA-49, Islamabad. The PPP has also decided to field Faisal Sakhi Butt as party candidate for next general elections on NA-48, Islamabad.