ISLAMABAD: PML-N leader Rana Sanaullah blamed Federal Minister for Water Resources Moonis Elahi for the PML-Q’s decision to accept the Punjab chief minister slot in return for supporting on the no-confidence vote.
“Chaudhry Sb [Pervaiz Elahi] will not be allowed to become the Punjab CM on the PTI ticket at any cost. The Aseembly has more votes of PPP and PML-N,” he said while talking to reporters.
“We asked Moonis Elahi to let go of the demand of chief ministership, but he said the PML-Q will remain silent unless it is given the post,” he said. “It was the first such incident in the political career of Chaudhrys that happened due to Moonis Elahi, the PML-Q has never taken such decisions”.
He added the opposition had pleaded with Moonis to step down as federal minister because the 10 vote difference was “difficult” to manage. He said the incumbent government had six days left in power. He said an impression was given dissident lawmakers were bought off although they were dissatisfied with the PTI for more than two years.
He further claimed that the joint opposition tabled a no-confidence motion against Punjab Chief Minister Usman Buzdar at PML-Q’s request. He said the last two meetings will be important after which the PML-Q will vote for the opposition over the no-trust vote against PM Imran Khan.
He said PPP Chairman Asif Ali Zardari will call on Pervaiz Elahi today to change his mind. He said Pervaiz Elahi could not be nominated for the post as the PML-Q has 10 votes while the PML-N has 165 votes.
He said the PML-N took every step after due consultation. He claimed that the ruling party would not be able to make Pervez Elahi the Punjab chief minister as the opposition had the required numbers in Punjab.
“There is an Aleem Khan group and they have 30-40 MPs. The Tareen group and they have also 10-12 people. Then there is the Cheema faction, which has also 10-12 people. The opposition will use it against anyone and now there is a new group called Buzdar group.”
He also lauded government allies MQM-P and BAP for their stance. He also dismissed allegations pertaining to having sacks of money to lure dissidents. “The only respectable option left for the government is to resign,” he added.
