THE new coalition government is working with President Pervez Musharraf 'according to the Constitution' and it was up to him to decide whether to step down or not, Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani has said. The ruling PPP has not established back-channels contacts with Musharraf, he said, adding it would strive to ensure a 'balance of power' between the Presidency and the Parliament. In an interview with CNN-IBN, Gilani said he had 'excellent relations' with Army Chief Gen Ashfaq Parvez Kayani, who was appointed to the post in 2007 by Musharraf. Gilani also said his government had the 'full support' of Kayani. Responding to a question, Gilani said his time in jail had not made him bitter. "Actually, we both Mr Nawaz Sharif and myself we have suffered a lot. Even (PPP Co-Chairman Asif Ali Zardari had been behind bars for eight years. I have been behind bars for five years. I'm not bitter at all," Gilani said. "I have to follow the Constitution. Therefore, I am working with the President according to the Constitution of Pakistan," he said in response to a question on whether he could convince Sharif, who has been pressing for Musharraf's resignation, to work with the President. Dismissing media reports that the PPP had initiated back-channel contacts with Musharraf for an arrangement whereby the President would be allowed to complete his term in exchange for giving up some of his powers, Gilani said he personally had no problems working with Musharraf if this was 'according to the Constitution of Pakistan'. Asked if he personally hoped Musharraf would step down on his own, Gilani said: "I personally feel that I can only follow the Constitution. For leaving the post, it's his (Musharraf's) choice, not mine." Asked if he would give Musharraf advice in this regard, he said, "Musharraf will never ask for my advice. Advice is sought, not hawked." Pressed further on whether he would persuade Sharif to allow Musharraf to continue and complete his term provided the President gave up some of his powers, Gilani said: "Why should I persuade Nawaz Sharif to allow Musharraf to complete his tenure? That is his prerogative, we are two different parties. We have two different manifestos and programmes. He is following his manifesto, I am following my manifesto." He added: "We want the balance of power between the Presidency and the Parliament. At the same time, we want that according to the Constitution and with a majority. But at the moment, even Nawaz Sharif knows that we don't have a majority in the Upper House of Parliament." Gilani said there is no proposal 'from any side' to grant Musharraf immunity for his actions during 2007's Emergency rule and to retain the National Security Council, which Sharif has said should be abolished in line with the Charter of Democracy signed by the PPP and PML-N in 2006.