PPP legislators against coalition with MQM

Newly-elected MPAs of the Pakistan People's Party in Sindh want the party to form government in the province without the support of the Muttahida Qaumi Movement.
Sources told Dawn that a number of newly-elected legislators opposed of the PPP entering into a dialogue with the MQM because of what they called “excesses” it committed against PPP workers during its five-year rule in the province.
The legislators were speaking at the first parliamentary party meeting at the Zardari House here on Sunday. It was presided over by Asif Ali Zardari.
The participants discussed the political situation in the province and PPP's options of cooperating with other political forces in the post-election scenario.
On Feb 19, Mr Zardari had said that some party members had reservations over the issue of cooperation with the MQM. He, however, said that he personally wanted to take the MQM along.
The sources said that in Sunday's meeting, most of the participants called for forming the provincial government without the support of the MQM because the PPP was in a position to form government on its own. Some of the members were of the opinion that the Muttahida could create problems if it was kept out of power. However, they said that if the PPP desired to take the MQM along it should be asked to join the PPP government unconditionally without seeking ministries or other posts.