Announcing to contest from NA-133 Lahore, Zaeem said he is a Muslim Leaguer and would remain the same. "Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan is a big politician and I have close relations with Saad Rafique and his family," he said. "I cannot polish Shahbaz Sharif's boots."
He said he would contest elections with the support of party workers and prove his worth in politics in Lahore. "My election is against Hamza Shahbaz," he said. He warned the PML-N leaders to abstain from levelling allegations against him.
The disgruntled PML-N leader lashed out at former chief minister Shahbaz Sharif and his son Hamza Shahbaz, saying Lahore is not their property. He said he did not say anything when the PML-N decided to field another candidate in a constituency from where he wanted to contest the election. Addressing Hamza, Qadri said, "You may bring your boot polishers and contest elections. My competition is with you."
The party decided bit to field Zaeem to contest polls from NA-133. Besides Zaeem Qadri, Imran Shah and Asif Raza are also said to be upset with the party leadership, hence would be contesting polls as independent candidates from PP-166 and PP-167. To a question, Zaeem said he considers Maryam as his daughter. Earlier, the PML-N leaders Khawaja Saad Rafique and Rana Mashhood Ahmed reached Township to placate the disgruntled Qadri with promises.