PPP divided over by-elections issue

LAHORE-The PPP, which is coalition partner in Punjab with the PML-N, is visibly divided over the issue of postponement of by-election, as conflicting views of its Punjab organisation and head of Parliamentary party in Punjab Assembly have now come in the open.
PPPs Punjab President Rana Aftab Ahmad Khan on Tuesday chaired a meeting of partys Punjab Council to discuss the issue in question, and later held a news conference, vehemently opposing Punjab governments attempt at delaying the polls.
Rejecting the idea of by-polls postponement, he warned that any further delay in elections could prove fatal for democracy.
However, contrary to Ranas statement, Senior Punjab Minister and PPPs Parliamentary leader in Punjab Assembly, Raja Riaz minced no words the same day when he openly supported Punjab govts decision to seek courts help in delaying the polls.
'Reports received from Federal govt and different agencies suggest that terrorists may carry out suicide attacks during electioneering, and keeping in view the situation, Punjab govt has moved the court for the postponement of by-elections, he defended govts decision.
The PPP Minister reportedly issued this statement after his meeting with Punjab Chief Minister, Mian Shahbaz Sharif, with whom he is also scheduled to meet on Wednesday (today) to seek more guidelines on the issue.
He further said that leading personalities were going to contest by-election, and Punjab government was fully aware of its responsibilities in this regard. It was under this context that govt decided to take relief from the court as a precautionary measure to avoid any untoward situation, he added.
Elaborating further the stance of Punjab govt, the Senior Minister said that there was nothing wrong with the petition seeking postponement of by-elections given the fact that these could endanger the lives of the contestants during big public meetings and processions.
'As a political party, PPP is ready for by-elections, but in its capacity as the ruling party in Punjab, it also gives importance to public apprehensions, he observed.
Talking about coalition matters, Raja said that efforts were being made by PPP to run the govt with its allies in the best manner, however, new appointments, transfers and recommendations in violation of merit could not be made whether it was by PML (N) Ministers or those of PPP.
He said that consultations were underway for expansion of Punjab Cabinet and it will be completed soon.
When this scribe drew attention of PPPs Punjab President Rana Aftab Ahmad Khan towards divergent views of the PPP over the same issue, particularly Raja Riazs statement endorsing Punjab govts decision on putting off by-polls, he said it would have been better had the PPP Minister taken partys Punjab organisation into confidence before taking a different view of the matter which is just opposite to that of his party men.
He said that it was customary that Parliamentary parties always toed the line of their parent parties. He said PPPs parliamentary party should also follow this practice.
Rana said he was not in touch with Raja Riaz over the issue.
He conceded that there was no clear-cut party policy on postponement of by-polls, but he personally believed that they must be held to give representation to the people of constituencies who have been left unrepresentative in the National Assembly for considerable time due to delay in holding of elections.
Rana Aftab said that PPP did not demand postponement of general elections even after the assassination of party Chairperson Benazir Bhutto.
To a question whether or not his party would field candidate against PML-N chief Mian Nawaz Sharif from NA-123, he said party had so far received four applications in this regard, but a final decision would be taken by partys top leadership.