Quetta -  Pashtoonkhwa Milli Awami Party yesterday blamed former President Asif Ali Zardari and his Pakistan People’s Party for ouster of former Balochistan chief minister Sanaullah Zehri, claiming he had a role in toppling of the government.

“PPP's Abdul Qayyum Soomro was present in Quetta for last 10,” said PkMAP parliamentary leader Abdul Rahim Ziaratwal, adding that “not only Soomro but another man Mukhtar of Sultan Kot was also contacting people in Quetta”.

In a private TV programme, Ziaratwal claimed the engineered game started on Jan 2 – when PML-Q’s Abdul Qadus Bizenjo filed motion of no-trust against Zehri – had been prepared long ago and many had played role in the upheaval.

“[But] we will [only] talk of democratic people and PPP who had spearheaded this move against the provincial government,” he noted.

PkMAP leader alleged that, on the direction of Zardar, Soomro and Mukhtar came in Quetta and stayed there for ten days in a local hotel, and made contacts with Balochistan Assembly lawmakers for changing their allegiance.

It was not a matter of one or two legislators but a good number of PML-N and PML-Q MPs joined the no-trust move, Ziaratwal said.

Now that after days of political wrangling, a new chief minister and his cabinet has sworn-in, the race for securing the slot of Opposition Leader in Balochistan Assembly has begun between PkAMP and JUI-F. Their candidates, Abdul Rahim Ziaratwal and Moulana Abdul Wasay, had submitted applications for the slot.

Both PkAMP and united opposition have support of 13 lawmakers each, while NP, whose three members revolted, had eight members intact and the party decided to sit on opposition benches. One who wins NP’s support will get this position.

Some political analysts had smelled a rat behind the rebellion against the Zehri government, believing it was aimed at harming PNL-N prospects in the upcoming senate election.

“Out the 500 votes he had bagged in 2013 general polls from Awaran, Nadra had verified only 25 votes,” he held.

“Why lawmakers were forced for floor-crossing if change of the government was not a conspiracy, and how all parties’ sided with Bizenjo in blinking of an eye,” he questioned.

He added that PPP had engaged in horse-trading in last senate polls and everyone knew what Asif Zardari wanted from the new government.

Ziaratwal added that hearsays were circulating that some rebel lawmakers of PML-N and PML-Q would soon join the PPP fold.

He added party membership of Manzoor Khan – who crossed floor and voted for Bizenjo – had not so far been suspended, however actions would be taken against him and he would be de-seated.

The new chief minister Mir Abdul Qadus Bizenjo visited the residence of Sardar Akhtar Mengal on Sunday and discussed with him political matters.