Three PML (Q) Senators, Mushahid Hussain, Kamil Ali Agha and Wasim Sajjad, are in the run for the slot of Leader of Opposition in the Upper House of the Parliament. Though Agha is leading the race, thanks to the blessings of PML President Shujaat Hussain, Mushahid and Sajjad are not far behind.
Party sources told APP on Wednesday that the race was initiated by Mushahid soon after Wasim Sajjad tendered resignation as Leader of the House. "The solo flight of PML Secretary General triggered serious reservations within the PML (Q) ranks as most of PML Senators were opposed to this initiative. Incidentally, Mushahid has emerged a controversial figure in the party due to his 'solo flight' over issues of national significance, especially that of Article 58-2(b) of the Constitution, on which Mushahid took a stance which was entirely against party line," sources said.
Kamil Agha was next to challenge Mushahid, who is of the view that Mushahid should not be made Leader of the Opposition in the Senate as he has developed a habit of taking independent line over critical issues, even against party stance.
"Agha is silently backed by Chaudhries and thus Mushahid is left with no option but to propose the name of Wasim Sajjad who, after being proposed, launched hectic efforts to clinch the slot, and even initiated a signature campaign in his favour by all PML (Q) Senators. This infuriated Agha and he also launched campaign in his favour," said sources.
Some other party influentials also see ironically Mushahid's habit of going for personal stance, over and above the party line, on certain national level issues. These leaders feel that although Mushahid did not accept any ministerial slot during past five years of the PML government, the PML Secretary General fell short of taking along all bigwigs of the party.
They opine that Mushahid had influenced critical decisions like appointment of Senate Chairman Mohammedmian Soomro as caretaker Prime Minister and enjoyed the power of a 'king maker'.
However, some wise minds of the party have called for a break and the matter has been taken to Shujaat who has decided to defer the matter till Mushahid's from abroad. He is currently visiting Brussels and London to attend International conferences on the issue of Kashmir.