ISLAMABAD - The moment Asif Ali Zardari – known as the master of political make and break - landed in the playground, the Islamabad Senate seat seemed tilting towards the Pakistan Democratic Movement.

The Pakistan People’s Party supremo played his role to turn the dream into reality but was not satisfied with the margin of the victory in the end.

“I believe, we should have taken 20-vote lead but we ended up with a lesser margin. You know better where the rest of the 15 votes went,” he said in a television statement after former Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani defeated government’s nominee Abdul Hafeez Shaikh.

The former president was optimistic that his party will perform well if Prime Minister Imran Khan calls snap elections. Zardari, who himself needed a second ballot paper to cast his vote, proved once more that despite his illness, he was still a key player among the PDM alliance.

PPP chief Bilawal Bhutto Zardari told The Nation that his father, Zardari, was an asset for the party and had always played a key role in the PPP’s success.

“He (Zardari) alone is heavier than all the opponents. Imran Khan is no match. His days are over,” the PPP leader said.

Bilawal said Zardari’s guidance was an important factor in Gilani’s win against government’s nominee Abdul Hafeez Shaikh. “He (Zardari) is performing so well despite being ill. The government should know he is improving,” he said pointing to possible early elections.

PPP Secretary General Nayyar Bokhari told The Nation that Zardari did not have many direct meetings due to his health but his role was key to Gilani’s win.

“The people respect Asif Ali Zardari. The PDM defeated the government in the ground where they claim majority. Zardari showed Imran Khan the difference between a politician and a novice. It was a team efforts but Zardari attracted the much needed votes due to his vision,” he contended.

The PPP leader said Gilani’s nomination was a consensus decision taken by the PDM. “It was purely a political decision,” he said.

PPP sources said there was no formal “approval” taken from any institution before nominating Gilani but there was no word from any institution against his candidature.

“The establishment played a neutral role which is a good news for all the Pakistanis. The PPP keeps all the institutions in high esteem and wants everyone to work within the constitution,” a top PPP leader told The Nation.

Asked if Zardari will be able to convert 169 votes received by Gilani in the Senate polls into the magic figure of 172, he said: “We are seriously considering a no-confidence vote (against the PM). He has clearly lost the confidence of the majority.”

Hours after Gilani’s win, Bilawal Bhutto Zardari addressed a news conference along with the winning candidate has said that defeating Prime Minister Imran Khan in the parliament was a historic achievement.

Bilawal, who held meetings with Pakistan Muslim League (Nawaz) President Shehbaz Sharif and Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam (Fazal), vowed to have Gilani elected as Chairman Senate with the consensus of the PDM. “We have defeated the ruling PTI in by-elections and now in Senate election. The war against the government will continue,” he added.