LAHORE - The PPP and the PML-Q have questioned the legality of the PML-N-backed Forward Blocs latest move to acquire a distinct status in the Punjab Assembly, terming it an unconstitutional attempt by the Nawaz League to 'legitimise the rebel group so that it could be 'used in future in case of any eventuality. Talking to TheNation, Senior Punjab Minister Raja Riaz and Opposition Leader in Punjab Assembly Ch Zaheeruddin described the move as first violation of the 18th Amendment by the PML-N leadership. They said that according to the new constitutional amendment, only the party head could nominate parliamentary leader in the assembly. Raja Riaz said the Mian brothers had set up a lota factory and wanted to revive the Chhanga Manga politics yet again. He said PPP will respond to PML-Ns move at proper time when the stage is set to show numbers in the assembly. Raja suspected the PML-N was preparing ground to induct the Forward Bloc members into the government after the possible sacking of the PPPs ministers on the pretext of non-implementation of their 10-point agenda. A party which talks of doing principled politics is doing such things which had no legal and moral justification, he deplored. Talking about PPP legislators interaction with party Co-Chairman Asif Ali Zardari, he said that President had instructed them to continue policy of reconciliation with the PML-N and no attempt should be made to weaken Punjab government. Commenting on the development, Zaheeruddin said his party will be left with no option but to knock the doors of the judiciary if the PA Speaker declared Dr. Tahir Javed as parliamentary head of the group. According to 18th Amendment, he added, nomination of parliamentary leader was the prerogative of the party head and not that of the Speaker. He asked members of the forward bloc to resign from their seats and seek fresh mandate from the people if they wanted to support the PML-N against the will of their parent party. To a question if PML-Q will join hands with the PPP in case the PML-N threw its coalition partner out of government with the support of forward bloc, Zaheeruddin said that people had given oppositions mandate to the PML-Q and his party will welcome the PPP on opposition benches. Talking about legal aspect of Dr Tahir Alis application to the Speaker, Secretary of the Punjab Assembly Maqsood Malik said the Speaker may allocate separate seats to the members of the forward block, but it will be difficult for him to nominate Tahir Ali Javed as parliamentary head of his group given the fact that law was silent about it and the matter was already in the court in respect of the Saba Sadiq case. The Punjab governments spokesperson, Senator Pervaiz Rashid, was not available for comment despite repeated attempts by this scribe to contact him.