"We have majority (in the assembly) even without him but I am not ready to leave Mian Sahib (Sharif)," he told a news conference after a meeting of his party's main decision making bodies. The veiled 'cool down' message to Nawaz came as he hardened stance on judges' reinstatement and rumours suggested a hidden hand was now active to form new alliances.
The PPP top leader deflected a question whether he foresaw the complete breakdown of coalition with Sharif and would he be willing to ally himself with pro-Musharraf Pakistan Muslim League-Quaid (PML-Q). "I will always follow the policy of reconciliation," he answered without dropping any hint on plans to change partners. Media reports suggested efforts were underway to change heads at PML-Q to make it acceptable for Zardari.
Zardari chaired a crucial meeting of PPP's central executive committee (CEC) and the federal council (FC) to discuss how the party should react to Sharif's decision of quitting the federal cabinet. Ministers from Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz on Tuesday resigned after both disagreed on how their coalition government should reinstate judges President Pervez Musharraf removed late last year.
Though Nawaz insisted his party would still be supporting the PPP government, the decision is being generally perceived as breakup of a fragile collaboration between two archrivals of the past.
"I am not looking at minus Mian Sahib position. I am looking at plus Mian Sahib position," he told media persons. Zardari said his party would not withdraw support to PML-N government in Punjab. He expressed confidence he would be able to persuade Sharif for rejoining the cabinet.
The slots PML-N ministers vacated were not filled by the PPP and there were indications from both sides that things would return to original positions. Zardari said he was still committed to Bhurban Declaration with Nawaz to reinstate judges but there was difference on how to do that.
The PPP co-chairperson said he was against all steps President Pervez Musharraf took with the proclamation of emergency late last year but did not want to commit another mistake to correct one. He defended his frequent meetings with the United States top diplomats including ambassador to Islamabad, saying their support helped Pakistan get rid of dictatorship.
APP ADDS: Zardari said that a resolution is being prepared and will be presented in joint session of the parliament for the reinstatement of deposed judges. He said that Nawaz Sharif wanted reinstatement of the judges through a notification, but his legal team was of view that any notification and de-notification would lead to constitutional crisis, which they want to avoid. He said that sitting judges might issue stay order against any notification which would create new constitutional crisis.
Zardari said that JUI-F, MQM, ANP and PML-N held their own opinion about judges' issue, adding they have disagreement with PLM-N on one point. He said that movement for reinstatement of judges was started by PPP and party's workers sacrificed their lives for the cause.
He said that PPP wanted to get revenge of martyrdom of Benazir Bhutto in the shape of bringing about a change in the system. "Democracy is the best revenge," he repeated the words of Benazir Bhutto. Zardari said that reconciliation process was continuing with all political parties and even with those who cut his tongue and put him behind the bars for several years.