ISLAMABAD - The opposition parties including PML-Q, GDA and a group of nearly two dozen dissident PTI MPs are in a race to grab slot of Opposition Leader in the National Assembly.
The 22 PTI dissidents on the basis of their majority, despite efforts to evolve consensus, could not finalise one name for the top position on the opposition benches. Whereas, the Pakistan Muslim League -Quaid(PML-Q) and Grand Democratic Alliance (GDA) are set to build a consensus to nominate one member for it. Though the PML-Q has submitted the nomination paper of MNA Hussain Elahi for this position yet the GDA would make last-ditch effort to convince PML-Q on a consensus candidate from these two parties. “I am optimistic that GDA and PML-Q would evolve consensus for the slot of opposition leader,” said Ghous Bux Mehar a senior MNA from GDA, talking to The Nation. “The leadership of GDA and PML-Q will meet tomorrow [Thursday] to decide future political move about opposition leader,” he said, mentioning that his party (GDA) wanted him to take this important position. The upcoming session of the National Assembly, expected to be summoned after Eidul Fitr, will take up the matter regarding the empty slot of the leader of the opposition in the National Assembly. The PTI’s dissent MNAs are also struggling to grab this position and recognised their identity in the National Assembly. The names of Noor Alam and Raja Riaz are under consideration to get this important slot, said parliamentary sources, mentioning that the PTI dissidents would not accept members from GDA or PML-Q for this position.
The National Assembly proceedings in the last two weeks running without any leader of the opposition, which may also be a record in parliamentary history. Talking to this newspaper, PTI’s parliamentarian Noor Alam had said that they wanted an opposition leader from their ranks and would get this position on the basis of a majority. Both the opposition parties [GDA and PML-Q] are not in majority so it is the right of PTI dissidents to nominate a consensus candidate from PTI.
Political pundits viewed that the PTI dissidents after evolving consensus on one name would be able to take this important position. The dissidents are not on the same page, as majority of Southern Punjab in this group are divided.