Hours after the ruling Pakistan People’s Party picked Makhdoom Shahabuddin to replace ousted Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani, a court issued non-bailable warrants against him, forcing the ruling coalition to look for a new premier.
“Makhdoom Shahabuddin is not the PPP candidate any more. The contest is between ‘covering’ candidates Raja Pervez Ashraf and Qamruz Zaman Kaira. One of them will be chosen,” a senior PPP leader told this newspaper after a late-night meeting at the presidency.
“The PML-Q is opposing Qamruz Zaman Kaira and the MQM is reluctant to support Raja Pervez Ashraf. President (Asif Ali) Zardari is in talks with allies to sort this out”, he added.
The PPP leader said Raja Pervez Ashraf has corruption cases against him, “but is still leading the race (with) Qamruz Zaman Kaira”.
Another PPP leader said Raja Pervez Ashraf will be 'the party’s leading candidate for PM'. Makhdoom Shahabuddin was dropped for involvement in the Ephedrine scandal, but one PPP leader claimed he can still return as the main candidate on Friday.