Fate of new Punjab government revolves around 29 independent MPAs-elect

As PTI and PML-N are in close contest to form government in Punjab, their fate depends on the support of 29 independent members of the Punjab Assembly to touch the magic number of 150 plus for simple majority in the House.
It may be added that as per the ECP's results of 294 out of 295 total Punjab Assembly's general seats, the PML-N bagged 127 and PTI 122 seats. The PML-Q won seven seats, PPP six and the PML-F, Balochistan Awami Party and Pakistan Awami Raj one each. Independents elected to the provincial assembly stand at 29.
PTI leaders Fawad Chaudhary, Inamul Haq and Senator Chaudhary Sarwer claimed in TV interviews that PTI has mustered support of more than required number of provincial assembly members to form government in the country's most populous province.
Speaking to the press, PML-N leader Hamza Shahbaz said it is the first right of the PML-N to form the government in Punjab as it has won majority of seats. Political observers say since PTI and PML-N are neck to neck in competition for the provincial legislature after almost a decade, independent members will play a significant role in forming upcoming Punjab government.
According to media reports, PTI has invited 14 independent candidates to join the party. Party leader Jahangir Tareen and Aleem Khan went to Faisalababd on Friday to meet four independent members. Analysts say that no federal government can survive without its government in Punjab. Veteran journalist Ayaz Amir said implementation of PTI's reform agenda and breaking the status quo totally depends on having its government in Punjab.
PML-Q senior leader and former chief minister Chaudhary Pervez Elahi claimed in an interview that there was possibility of a forward block of PML-N in the Punjab Assembly and the national assembly that would support PTI governments in the centre and Punjab province. He recalled that 30 members of the PML-Q formed a forward bloc in 2008 led by Atta Muhammad Maneka to support Sharif brothers, the history can repeat itself and pay Sharif's in the same coin.