LAHORE, Aug 30: Syed Mushahid Hussain, the PML-Q candidate for the president’s office, on Saturday pleaded for a “healing touch” for the country instead of dragging it back to “the dirty politics of the 90s”, claiming he along with his party could do that. Addressing a press conference after the parliamentary party meeting here at the residence of Pervaiz Elahi, Mushahid made all kinds of right noises; providing healing touch for the nation, avoiding petty politics, dealing with economic and energy crises and importance of personal character of presidential candidates.

Flanked by Pervaiz Elahi, Shujaat Hussain, Ijazul Haq and Hamid Nasir Chattha, Mr Mushahid, ignoring numerical weakness of his party, claimed it would be a straight fight between him and Mr Asif Ali Zardari.

Reiterating the challenge of a live TV debate he had earlier thrown to Mr Zardari, he said let people know who stands where on different issues confronting the nation.

Mushahid also condescendingly ruled out chances of Mr Saeeduzzaman Siddqui, a rival in the race for presidency, in spite of numerical strength of PML-N both at the centre and Punjab, provoking a volley of hard questions from journalists about his pattern of thinking. Explaining his stance, Mr Mushahid said once his campaign took off, people would know his style of politics and views on the issues confronting the nation.

In a bid to pitch himself on an equal footing with Mr Zradari in their race for presidency, Mushahid referred to some recent surveys and opinion polls which he said put him and PPP hopeful in ‘one-on-one fight’. He claimed these surveys gave him (Mushahid) an edge over Mr Zardari because of “character, ability to understand and delve on the issues of national importance and credible political approach.” “Since it would be a secret ballot and colleagues forming the electoral college would be voting according to their conscience rather than strict party affiliations, it would give the better candidate an edge,” he insisted.

Without directly criticising Mr Zardari and his politics, Mr Mushahid, exuding extreme confidence, thought he would carry the day if “voters take it as a sacred trust and vote for better person.”

Nemesis has caught a few in politics too early, said Pervaiz Elahi, and added: “Those terming the PML-Q Qatil (murderer) League or finished league are now begging for its votes both at the centre and provinces. The politics of ego has come crashing down in the last few days. They have now realised their mistakes and are trying to correct the same. The party was in touch with both the PPP and the PML-N, and the next few days would be decisive.”

“The (PML-Q) parliamentary party has discussed presidential election and post-election scenario. The party stands united and would also welcome those colleagues back in its fold who left it to join some blocks and are now repenting,” he said.

About withdrawing the candidature of Mr Mushahid Hussain, as rumors in the media suggest, Shujaat said the party fielded its candidates despite a clear numerical disadvantage. It did so to fight it out, not to withdraw it at the last moment, he added.