LAHORE, Oct 22: Manzoor Ahmed Wattoo, the newly-appointed president of PPP for central Punjab, claimed on Monday that he would take back Punjab from the Sharifs in the next elections and for that he needed the support of ‘angry’ workers.

“I want the support of the party workers and those who are angry I will try to win them back. We will go along with the PML-Q on an equal basis and defeat the PML-N in the coming elections with its (Q-League’s) support,” he said while addressing PPP workers outside the Nasser Bagh.

Mr Wattoo, who is federal Minister for Kashmir Affairs, said he had defeated the Sharifs twice in the past.

Earlier, a large number of PPP workers and office-bearers received Mr Wattoo at the Allama Iqbal International Airport on his arrival from Islamabad.

The workers started gathering at the airport premises four hours before his arrival at about 4pm. In an effort to enter the main lounge the workers scuffled with airport security officials. A couple of officials and an activist suffered minor injuries. The workers finally gave up their demand at the request of PPP Lahore president Samina Ghurki.

When the workers’ procession led by Mr Wattoo reached the venue of the meeting after 7pm the number of participants reduced considerably. Surprisingly, no security arrangements had been made either by Punjab police or the PPP.

Observers are of the opinion that the Supreme Court’s verdict in the Asghar Khan case provided Mr Wattoo with an opportunity to launch a campaign against the Sharif family soon after his elevation to the important party post.

“I ask Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif to resign as after the SC verdict. He has no moral grounds to stay in office. Both the brothers had received money from the ISI to stop the PPP from coming to power in 1990,” Mr Wattoo said, adding that the brothers believed in distributing all key posts among their family members.

“President Asif Ali Zardari has given me a target and I will achieve it with the help of workers. I defeated the Sharifs in Punjab and of late in Kashmir. I know them and also have the skill to defeat them,” he said.

Mr Wattoo criticised Shahbaz Sharif for using derogatory language against President Zardari. Questioning the chief minister’s style of governance, he said even MNAs and MPAs of the PML-N did not respect the Sharifs because of their attitude.

“Shahbaz is spending Rs70 billion on a road which was built by Pervaiz Elahi (former chief minister). This amount can repair roads in all districts of Punjab,” he said.

Mr Wattoo appeared to be concerned about those PPP workers who are reportedly angry over his appointment. “I ask the angry workers to trust me and give me their support. Those who know me are aware that I keep my words no matter what happens. I embraced the PPP from the core of my heart after winning the 2008 election,” he said.

Federal minister Firdous Ashiq Awan said the party workers should accept President Zardari’s decision and fully support Mr Wattoo. She said that under his leadership Punjab would be snatched from the Sharifs.

PPP’s Tanvir Ashraf Kaira, Chaudhry Manzoor, Aslam Gill and Usman Malik also addressed the rally.