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Published 14 Feb, 2008 12:00am

No room for turncoats after polls: Zardari

LAHORE, Feb 13: PPP co-chairman Asif Ali Zardari on Wednesday made it clear to the party ticket-holders that the workers would not spare those found changing loyalty after winning the election.

"Those intending to leave the party after winning the election from its platform should better leave now," he said at a meeting of the PPP ticket-holders here at Bilawal House in Model Town.

He said the party would not allow its ticket-holders to change loyalty after winning the election because people were going to vote for them in the name of Ms Benazir Bhutto. "Every PPP worker is loyal to her grave. Therefore, abandon the idea of showing disloyalty to the party," he told the candidates.

Mr Zardari said the PPP would form the next government without sharing power with the establishment. "The next prime minister and all four chief ministers will be of our choice," he said.

Referring to the assassination of Ms Bhutto, he said the establishment spoiled the national politics for 40 years but the PPP always cleaned it with its blood. The PPP, he said, had solution to all the national problems.

Calling politics worship, he said Ms Bhutto embraced martyrdom while worshipping. "Her blood is going to bring about a change in the country and we are attached to her grave," he said.

Mr Zardari criticised former prime minister Shaukat Aziz and said he had escaped after destroying the national economy.

He also asked the party workers to remain at the polling stations after casting their votes to foil all attempts of rigging.

Meanwhile, delegations of the PDP and the People's Lawyers Forum called on Mr Zardari to condole the assassination of Ms Bhutto. He also met PPP leader Zaka Ashraf at his residence afterwards.

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