A couple of days after the coalition leadership decided to impeach President Musharraf, his camp gives the impression of being in shambles. A staunch supporter like Sh Rashid has advised him to say goodbye to power instead of facing the impeachment motion, as he is not likely to win the numbers game. There is widespread demoralisation in the PML(Q) ranks, with a number of party deputies accusing the President of himself being the architect of the disaster that faces him, by signing the NRO in the wake of opposition from the party. All the anti-Chaudhry groups in the PML(Q) have become active again. Numerous party legislators consider the occasion a Godsent opportunity to make up with the PML(N). If Information Minister Sherry Rehman is to be believed, 18 PML(Q) MPs have promised to support the impeachment motion. The MQM, which has so far been loyal to the President, seems to be having second thoughts, as in the event of the impeachment move succeeding despite the party's support to the President, its attempts to be inducted into mainstream politics would suffer a serious setback. While a desperate Ch Pervez Elahi believes that the President could still invoke Article 58(2b), this could happen only with the Army's blessing, which many rule out on account of COAS Gen Ashfaq Parvez Kayani's assurance that he is determined to keep the institution out of politics. Preparations by the ruling coalition are gaining momentum. A chargesheet has been prepared by the Task Committee comprising lawmakers of the PPP and the PML(N). A timeframe for coordinated activities has been prepared. The National Assembly session has been convened from Monday. In the coming week, all the four provincial assemblies would pass resolutions calling on General Musharraf to seek a vote of confidence from Parliament. The Punjab Assembly would meet on Monday, and the Sindh and NWFP Assemblies on Tuesday, to pass the resolutions. A Balochistan Assembly session would come next. PPP Co-Chairman Asif Ali Zardari has already contacted the APDM and Baloch nationalist leaders for support, and has been assured that their MPs would vote for the impeachment motion. Things would not end at the removal of the President once the impeachment motion has been successful. With Parliament deciding that the President has acted against the Constitution, he would have to face charges in court, including for the violation of the Constitution. With the independent judges back in their offices in accordance with the agreement between the coalition partners, it would not be possible for anyone to stop the courts from taking up highly serious cases against the President. It is time he acts wisely to seek an honourable exit.