2 PPP leaders clash in Bilawal’s presence

LAHORE

Two senior leaders of Pakistan Peoples Party got indulged in a verbal brawl in the presence of Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari over the issue of ‘Trojan Horses in PPP.’

Situation got tense during the meeting of PPP Central Punjab Executive Committee held in Bilawal House Tuesday, when Nadim Afzal Gondal, former MNA and currently the Adviser to party Chairman on Youth Affairs protested against a recent article written by Bashir Riaz, Media Adviser to Chairman regarding a group allegedly conspiring against Asif Ali Zardari, the party Co-Chairman.

The article was titled as ‘Trojan Horses in PPP’ in which the writer had criticised some of the ‘self-styled leaders’, setting eyes on the slot of headship of Pakistan Peoples Party-Parliamentarians after the death of Makhdum Amin Fahim. The writer Bashir Riaz had also stated that plan of this gang to gain control of PPP-P was foiled after Asif Zardari was elected unanimously its Chairman. Sources stated that during the meeting Nadim Afzal Gondal drew the attention of party Chairman towards the article and stated that the party leadership should have been consulted by the writer who had authored the article while declaring some leaders ‘Trojan Horses.’

Bashir Riaz, the writer of the article on the occasion responded while saying that ‘I am not answerable to anyone but the party Chairman.’

Situation was about the get further tense when the party Chairman himself intervened and asked his stalwarts to calm down.

When contacted, Bashir Riaz refused to comment on the incident and stated that he had expressed his viewpoint in the meeting and it wasn’t appropriate to say anything further on it. Pakistan Peoples Party Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari said that PPP organisation would be strengthened and mobilised at grass root level. Addressing a meeting of party members from central Punjab, Bilawal Bhutto Zardari said that regular conventions of PPP district organisations would also be held to mobilise the workers. The PPP chairman also sought district-wise report from the party leadership about the performance of PPP in the recent LG polls.Dr Firdous Ashiq Awan on the occasion stated that performance of party in the recent LG polls was an eye opener and all the party leaders had to devise an effective strategy to strengthen the party. The party leaders also called for effective strategy to defend PPP in media.