Feeling dejected, a large clan in the ruling coalition is vehemently opposing and making attempts to foil Musharraf-Benazir power sharing deal that now seems heading towards a conclusion, sources said.
Pakistan Muslim League (PML) President Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain is spearheading the rebellions against Musharraf's plan to pick new political partners for next five years. Informed individuals claimed those who do not want Benazir Bhutto's Pakistan Peoples Party securing power again are more than expectations.
"They are enough in number. Good enough to block any deal between Musharraf and Benazir," a source told Business Recorder. If true, it can create more constitutional problems for Musharraf to validate his candidature for the presidency and see smooth sailing of affairs in future.
They are from PML, Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) and PPP-Patriots and the reason for opposing new arrangements is that their own political future would be at stake in such a case.
Most of them feel being deprived after five years of unflinching support to Musharraf. Several dissident voices were raised by many ministers from PML, MQM, PPP-Patriots at the meeting held to apprise them and take them into confidence about what is going on between Musharraf and Benazir.
Meanwhile, it is learnt that a president's top power broker arrived back home from Dubai after holding two-day talks with PPP chairperson Benazir Bhutto. On Tuesday, both sides claimed to have evolved consensus on several key points including Musharraf's plan to relinquish military chief slot and Benazir's bid to become prime minister third time.
Military ruler Musharraf, who is passing through a worse political crisis in eight years rule, desperately needs PPP support to remain in power for five more years. Many believe the United States wants this arrangement.
In return, Bhutto, who ruled twice in the past from 1988-1990 and 1993-1996, wishes to become premier again and has expressed willingness to support Musharraf if she were cleared of corruption charges. Shujaat, who remained a power master during past five years with the blessing of Musharraf, is opposing this deal because he will not have any space in the future set up.
He has in the recent past been openly criticising Musharraf talking to Bhutto to offer the biggest slice in the future fiesta and to seek political oxygen he needs to breath as president.
This was in this backdrop that many members of his league appeared sceptical of the proposed deal. Insiders believe he is behind those who want to see Musharraf-Benazir talks fail. A MQM member also told Business Recorder that his party is still indecisive on whether to support Musharraf for the future term in uniform. He declined to go on the record.
Both PPP and MQM have been bitter political opponents in the past. During the second stint of Benazir Bhutto as the premier many MQM activists were killed and arrested on terrorism charges. However, Information Minister Muhammad Ali Durrani told media in the evening that nothing is wrong with the ruling coalition and everybody stands firm behind the president.
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