Re: Raza Gillani elected as PM, Gets 264 votes
Some of you guys are just stuck in semantics.
- who will take oath from whom
- great presidente, fair elections
- how to roll-back to pre-Nov 2
- etc etc etc
I am actually more curious about the voting for the PM. Gilani got 264. Pervez Elahi got 42.
42??? Thats very low. Forget their allies, I thought even PML-Q got more seats than that? So Forward Bloc already working???
Anyway, seems like the tide is changing and the numbers in the Parliament are just an indicator. Looking at this voting pattern, pro-Musharraf Parliamentarians are getting fewer, and that creates infinitely more problems for Musharaf. Yes, if he choses, he can hang on to power (and administer oaths and insist that judges can't be brought back), but his source of power is Army. He is no longer in uniform. Yes, Kiyani is his friend, but there is a limit to Kiyani's patience. Question is how long will it take Kiyani to say, "you know what, I don't want Army to be further dragged in this mess, just to keep ONE person in power". As soon as Kiyani pulls his support, that will be the final nail in the proverbial coffin and Mushy will leave. American support will prove fleeting like always. I bet Americans are already making new "partners" in the new ruling coalition.
If Mushy leaves, it wouldn't matter if Ifti Chaudhri is brought back. Seriously. Except for a few dumb lawyers, pretty much everyone who is shouting to bring back Ifti Chaudhry is just looking at it to get rid of Mushy. If this scenario plays out, then Soomro (or who ever) will take over as President. There will be legal/logistical/constitutional problems to bring back Ifti, and he will be honorably retired. Remember, neither Nawaz Sharif nor Zardari have any interest in bringing back a popular and powerful Chief Justice. This is just way too dangerous a sword and both of them are bitten by a high strung judiciary (remember Sajjad Ali Shah??). Right now, all the talk about restoration of judges is merely a political move in a great game of chess. Don't hold your breath for it to happen. And its not really that important, to be honest.
And lastly, I don't think there is any scenario right now where Kiyani will impose Martial Law or Mushy can dissolve the Parliament. There is only so much trouble Army will be willing to go to, to keep Mushy in power, and both these options are way too messy and will be deeply unpopular, not to mention completely illogical. Soldiers know (I am talking about Corps Commanders now), which battles to fight and which not to get into. Trying to keep Mushy in place is now crossing over into the unpalatable range.