ISLAMABAD, MAR 15 (DNA) –  Days after the main opposition parties – PPP and PTI – succeeded in electing the Senate chairman and deputy chairman with the joint effort, they are now competing against each other to grab the slot of the opposition leader in the upper house.

The PPP on Wednesday announced nomination of Sherry Rehman for the slot of the opposition leader that fell vacant after the retirement of Aitzaz Ahsan on March 12.

The PTI has yet to make a formal announcement of its candidate but insiders claim that Azam Swati’s name has been finalised by the party.

Once again, a group of independent opposition senators from Fata and Balochistan attain a significant role in filling out this important position and both parties have been trying to muster their support.

The PPP and the PTI have made informal contacts with the other opposition parties to get their support. Whoever gets the signatures of the majority of the opposition senators will be appointed as the opposition leader.

The PPP thinks that being the single largest opposition party in the house with 20 elected senators, it has the right to be considered on priority for the slot. However, PTI leadership is of the opinion that the party unconditionally supported the PPP’s nominated candidate for the deputy chairman slot, therefore, the PPP should return the favour by accepting its candidate as the opposition leader.

“In the elections of Senate chairman and deputy chairman, independent senators and PPP have got their due share and it became only possible due to support of the PTI. Moral authority demands that all of them now should support unconditionally PTI’s nominee for the opposition leader without entering into any competition,” said a PTI senator.