Senior Vice-Chairman of Pakistan People's Party (PPP) Makhdoom Amin Fahim on Friday held talks with JUI-F chief Maulana Fazlur Rahman to the chagrin of party co-chairman Asif Ali Zardari.
According to well-placed party sources, the strategy adopted by senior party leader, who happens to be the president of Pakistan People's Party Parliamentarians which bagged the highest number of seats in the National Assembly, has led to widen the gulf between him and Mr Zardari.
ASIF ZARDARI IS SAID TO BE KEEPING HIS CARDS CLOSE TO HIS CHEST AS HE'S NOT WILLING TO LAY HIS CARDS ON THE TABLE TO TELL AMIN FAHIM WHAT HIS PLANS, IDEAS, ETC:
The sources claimed that the meeting between Fazlur Rahman and Amin Fahim was deliberately designed to embarrass the co-chairman as Mr Fahim had made it strongly clear to everyone that he was still a strong contender for the premiership unless Mr Zardari publicly offered his self for this post.
"The present crisis could cause serious damage to party's prospects ahead of election of leader of the house in the National Assembly," the sources said, adding that an elegant and polite Amin Fahim was now full of bitter feelings and hatred and had a strong desire to hurt those who caused damage to his reputation in the last few days.
The sources said that Mr Fahim had made it clear to Mr Zardari that he had been a victim of a vilification campaign orchestrated by some people within the party and outside and that he would regard his nomination for the premiership as a clear vindication of his conduct during Benazir Bhutto's self-imposed exile and after her assassination and the way he had organised and managed the party.
"Not only is he holding high moral ground given his track record, he derives his real strength from the fact that he happens to be the head of a party which has bagged the highest number of seats in the February 18 elections," the sources said and added that it was only during his consultation with legal minds following Khawaja Asif of PML-N's criticism on his candidature that he decided to work out a strategy with a view to not only stopping a bad situation from a complete failure, but salvage his reputation in an effective and meaningful manner.
Sources said that Mr Fahim believed that his prospects to become prime minister had not received a serious jolt despite Mr Zardari's overt reluctance to nominate him for this slot for he the former had been told by some legal experts that Article 63A of the Constitution with regard to disqualification on grounds of defection had helped him do what was necessary to make a particular situation successful.
"The situation suggests the possibility of a split in the party if it is not brought under control in the next 24 hours," the party sources said and added that Mr Zardari had been facing an extremely difficult and unpleasant situation.
APP ADDS: Senior Vice-Chairman of Pakistan People's Party (PPP) Makhdoom Amin Fahim on Friday started contacts with other party's coalition partners. In this connection, Amin Fahim held first meeting with Jamiat Ulema-e Islam (F) chief Maulana Fazl-ur-Rehman, and discussed post-election scenario, especially formation of the coalition government.
Both the leaders found their views close to each other for developing a joint working relationship to strengthen the democracy and ensure supremacy of the Constitution, sources said. Later talking to media, Amin Fahim said the meeting was "not political but a personal one" while describing the purpose of meeting, he termed it "part of the ongoing consultation process for formation of the new government in the Centre and the provinces."
Replying to question about nomination of prime minister, Amin Fahim said that political activities were on rise and dilemma of nomination of the prime minister was an internal mater of the PPP would soon be resolved.
In reply to a question, he dismissed the possibilities of any forward bloc in PPP. "If you have heard such reports, those are baseless," he remarked. He said the dilemma of nomination of prime minister would soon be resolved, adding," the political chessboard has still been laid."
Meanwhile, Makhdoom Amin Fahim also tried to call on Awami National Party (ANP) chief Asfandyar Wali, but the latter reportedly regretted to meet the senior PPP leader. "Asfandyar Wali has regretted to meet Makhdoom Amin Fahim due to very busy schedule on Friday," ANP spokesman of Zahid Khan told media.
Amin Fahim, on the other hand, said his meeting with Asfandyar Wali was not pre-fixed and that Asfandyar had not refused to meet him on Friday," ANP spokesman of Zahid Khan told media. Amin Fahim, on the other hand, said his meeting with Asfandyar Wali was not pre-fixed and that Asfandyar had not refused to meet him.
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