PML-N to take final decision on no-confidence against CM Buzdar

LAHORE – Contrary to the speculation on social media, the issue of moving a no-confidence motion against Punjab Chief Minister Sardar Usman Buzdar is not on the table yet, background interviews with opposition leaders suggest. 

“It is not on the cards at the moment as the entire focus is on the election of chairman and the vote of confidence to be sought by the prime minister”, said a source in the PDM.

It also transpired during the discussions with the PDM leaders that the opposition’s alliance is yet to evolve consensus on the issue as it is only the PPP so far pushing for such a move both in the Centre and in Punjab. 

Unlike other parties, it also wants a change in Punjab first through a no-confidence motion against the chief minister before a final punch at the federal govt. The PPP thinks that it would be much easier to bring a change in the federal capital if the PTI loses its support base in Punjab.

In his media talk Thursday, PPP chairman Bilawal Bhutto also dropped strong hints of his party’s desire for a change in Punjab as a first step to dismantle the federal government. But he hurried to add that PDM will take a final decision in this regard.    

Moreover, it is highly likely that the Opposition may not give a serious consideration to the option of moving a no-confidence motion against the Punjab chief minister if the prime minister succeeds in seeking a vote of confidence from the National Assembly on Saturday.

In such a scenario, the PDM parties would only be left with the choice to come to Islamabad for a sit-in as already planned by the alliance.

PML-N has 160 members in the Punjab Assembly

Mostly importantly, the PML-N, a major component of the PDM is averse to the idea of no-confidence motions for varying reasons. Though the PML-N leadership has of late mended its relations with the Chaudhry’s of Gujrat, it does not deem it a politically correct move to bring a change in Punjab through Ch Parvez Elahi who is considered very close to the powers that be.

Also, the Assembly Speaker has been critical of the governance style of the former Chief Minister Mian Shehbaz Sharif though he has a soft corner for his son Hamza Shehbaz.

Many believe that Ch Parvez Elahi can be instrumental in bringing the much- desired change of guards in the provincial capital but he has his limitations when it comes to convincing the PML-N leaders to share the apple pie. 

Also, the PML-N believes it can easily form its government especially in Punjab if fresh elections are held. 

It only wants the establishment to stay neutral in the whole affair. In case the no-confidence motions are successful, its leadership would not like to form a coalition govt both at the centre and in Punjab with a lion’s share going to Ch Parvez Elahi and other member parties of the alliance.

Besides, the PML-N also has its fears about the success of such a political move. Its leaders think that if the move backfires, the government will emerge stronger than before; and it will be hard to mend the political damage.  “The PML-N has 160 members in the Punjab Assembly. A decision for a no-confidence motion or otherwise should primarily be taken by our party first before the matter is taken up at the PDM platform”, a PML-N source told The Nation seeking anonymity. He also said that the PPP leaders have been advocating for such a step for quite some time, but a decision has to be made with consensus by the PDM.  It would be interesting to watch the political developments after today’s National Assembly session convened for seeking a vote of confidence by the prime minister.