Race for the Presidency

Mr Zardari's victory is almost a foregone conclusion. But the split between the two major coalition partners can lead to massive horsetrading in Parliament and the four provincial assemblies which constitute the electoral college for the presidential election. The parting of ways between the PPP and the PML(N) has largely benefited the PML(Q), which having pulled back from the verge of extinction may now be playing a crucial role in shaping national politics. The decision to field Mushahid Hussain for the presidential contest was more an attempt to enhance the party's bargaining position at a time when it is being approached by both mainstream parties. Ch Pervez Elahi's refusal to meet Punjab PML(N) President Sardar Zulfikar Khosa and his insistence on involving Ishaq Dar and Ch Nisar Ali Khan in the process of negotiation shows that he would want to dictate his terms for any possible understanding between the two parties. Though news reports indicated that a vast majority of PML(Q) members are keen to join hands with the PML(N), the Chaudhrys can still exploit the situation since the PPP is reportedly offering them a better deal in return for their support for Mr Zardari's candidature.

The PML(N) will however be more concerned about consolidating its position in Punjab to avert the risk of being booted out of power in case the PPP succeeds in reaching an understanding with the PML(Q). It cannot lower its guard, especially when Punjab Governor Salman Taseer keeps bullying the bureaucracy and interfering in the administrative affairs of the provincial government that do not fall under his purview. The presidential contest in this situation will only be of secondary importance for the PML(N). If the party leadership had at all been serious it could have fielded someone else other than Justice Siddiqui, whose nomination for the coveted slot will largely remain symbolic.