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When 3 parties share bulk of the seats in assembly and none have overall majority, it is normal that two parties make coalition according to their own best interests. At present, coalition in Punjab is against the norm of democracy. Position in Punjab assembly before Independent winner candidates joined parties (true election result). Later many independents joined parties. Further, women and minorities candidates were elected according to strength of parties (after independents joined). Present strength of parties in Punjab Assembly.
Parties ... Elec ... Ind ... W and M ... Total
PMLN: ... 110.... 26........ 34........... 170
PPP: ....... 82..... 4.......... 21......... 107
PMLQ: .... 66..... 0.......... 18........... 84
MMA: ...... 2...... 0.......... 0............. 2
PMLF: ..... 2...... 0........... 1............. 3
Ind: ...... 34................................... 4
A party needs 186 assembly members to rule Punjab. A member cannot go against their party leadership directions if vote of confidence is needed (I believe, that excludes Independents who joined party after election, as they did not contested election on party ticket). PMLN leadership has bad relationship with PMLQ leadership and thus if PPP decides to ditch them and start supporting PMLQ, than PMLN goes out of power in Punjab. In such situation, PPP would be bigger partner in coalition and would get bigger share in Punjab government, so it is to their benefit to ditch PMLN.
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