RECORDER REPORT

LAHORE: Disgruntled workers of Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) have still pinned hopes with Bilawal Bhutto, saying that he could only anchor the sinking boat of the party.

Abdication of leading stalwarts one after another, particularly in the central Punjab, has led to a mind-boggling reaction from the party workers, blaming Asif Ali Zardari for inviting doom.

They said the politics of reconciliation of Zardari has forced the potential candidates to quit party ahead of next general elections. They want to take a political position in their constituencies therefore leading stalwarts from the central Punjab have started resigning one after another.

It may be noted that the PPP insiders believe that five big names are ready to quit the party after Ramazan. Already PPP stalwart and former federal minister Nazar Muhammad Gondar, from district Mandi Bahauddin, has openly expressed his dissatisfaction with the way party is being run by the top leadership.

In Gujrat, Nawabzada Gazanfar Gill has formally announced resignation from the party. In Sialkot, Firdous Ashiq Awan is ready to quit. Sources claimed that Ghurkis in Lahore are also on their way to depart from the PPP and join PTI. Rumours are also circulating that an eminent lawyer and party stalwart from Lahore is also negotiating with the PTI.

Majority of the party workers, as a matter of fact, have either shifted their loyalties to the PTI. Rest of the lot is blaming Zardari for the bad patch on party affairs, saying that he kept mum over the PML-N wrongdoings throughout the last four years.

This attitude of the party leadership has made the PTI popular, they added.

One party worker said 16 out of his 20 family members have switched their loyalties to the PTI and the remaining one are facing problem in sticking with the PPP.

According to these party circles, it is only Bilawal who could be a ray of hope in a highly dismal situation. They said Bilawal should deviate from the party line to inspire the disheartened party workers sooner than later in order to revive the past glory of PPP, particularly in Punjab.