PPP, PML-N bickering over two Punjab ministries

The PPP and the PML-N are learnt be bickering over two important provincial ministries - Health, and Communication and Works, in the newly formed Punjab provincial government.

Lahore, Apr 28 : The PPP and the PML-N are learnt be bickering over two important provincial ministries - Health, and Communication and Works, in the newly formed Punjab provincial government.

Initially, it was decided that the PPP will retain the two ministries, but later the PML-N insisted on having them, which caused a rift between the two parties.

The PPP considers the move a "deviation" from the formula set between the two parties.

The Punjab province is know to be a stronghold of the PMl-N, with PPP having a marginal presence.

According to PPP sources, under the formula set between PPP Co-Chairman Asif Ali Zardari and PML-N President Shahbaz Sharif, the PPP was to receive its share in the cabinet in form of health, communication and works, irrigation, labour and manpower, population welfare and revenue ministries.

Differences over the issue cropped up a day before oath taking when the PML-N did not agree to give two important ministries to the PPP. PPP ministers even decided to boycott the oath-taking ceremony but took oath on the instructions of the party co-chairman, reported The News.

Though the matter is being discussed between Zardari and Shahbaz, the so far unsolved issue has begun to create differences between the two coalition partners, reported The News.

The PPP camp is seriously concerned over the change of tone by the PML-N leadership over the distribution of ministries.

This is noteworthy that since 1977, the PPP has not been able to get the chief minister slot in Punjab even though it gained significant number of seats in 1988, 1993 and 2008 general elections. The party workers in Punjab also possess similar feelings and majority of them are not even willing to share power with the PML-N.

Expressing his concern over the issue, a senior PPP leader from Punjab said that this difference between the two parties on the issue could cause rifts in the coalition. He said that the PPP had respected the mandate of PML-N in the National Assembly and it should also abide by its promises in Punjab.

ANI