In a bid not to take sides between the judiciary and its major ally - Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM), the ruling Pakistan People's Party (PPP) may go for holding the general election in March 2013, it is learnt.
Sources within PPP revealed that senior party leaders do not wish to open a front with the judiciary in any confrontation between its coalition partner, MQM and the Supreme Court, which may have negative consequences on the party's image if the government fails to implement any orders of the apex court.
A section of the PPP senior leadership had already floated the idea of holding the next general elections in March before the start of load shedding in summer. After the apex court contempt notice to MQM Chief Altaf Hussain, the sources said that those in favour of March elections feel their stance has been strengthened and the PPP leadership is in no mood to be subjected to the wrath of the judiciary on behalf of its coalition partner.
"We are discussing the court notice within the party as well as with our coalition partners with the objective of resolving the situation," the PPP source said. About the general elections, he said that though no decision has been taken so far yet it now appears more likely that the President would support those who favour March elections instead of May group which is led by the Prime Minister Raja Pervez Ashraf.
The mandate of the PPP government will end on March 18, 2013 and a caretaker set-up is required to be in place to oversee the general elections to be held within 90 days as per the Constitution. However, the President, the final decision maker, has yet to decide final date for holding the general elections.
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