Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) has seemed to be divided over the issue of forming coalition government with Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) in Punjab since the restoration of Shahbaz Sharif government. According to the party sources, those sitting in the provincial cabinet are in favour of rejoining the PML-N government in Punjab.
But the party in general in favour of sitting in the opposition benches, added the party sources. It has also been learnt that the Prime Minister, Yousaf Raza Gilani, is also in favour of joining the PML-N in Punjab, inviting anger from the party circles in general. Sources said, "Six out of seven ministers of PPP in the Punjab cabinet are advocating for continuity with the PML-N government in Punjab. The former senior minister Raja Riaz Ahmed was also in favour of joining the provincial cabinet, they said.
According to the party sources, the provincial party leadership is expecting support from the President Asif Ali Zardari in sitting in opposition. They said the President would be back on Thursday, followed by a consultation and formal announcement on Friday.
When pointed out that the President had said categorically in his address to the Parliament that the PPP would sit in opposition in Punjab, the party sources said it was conditioned to the announcement of the chief minister candidate in pre-Supreme Court stay on disqualification case of Sharif brothers.
They said since the apex court has granted a stay to the government of Shahbaz Sharif in Punjab therefore the situation has altogether changed now. Regarding the fate of Governor Punjab Salman Taseer, the sources maintained that he is likely to continue with his office and no immediate change was under consideration of the party leadership.
Meanwhile, some independent sources have informed that the PPP is likely to join the PML-N in Punjab soon. According to them, the Wednesday meeting of Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif with Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani was very important in relation to form coalition government of PPP and PML-N in Punjab, as the PM wants PPP to join PML-N in Punjab.