GUJRAT: Rift between the PML-N and the PML-Q over seats adjustment has deepened further after the `N` allowed its potential candidates to form an independent panel (backed by the PML-N) against the scions of `Q` chief Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain on an NA and two PA seats of Gujrat.

A senior party leader told Dawn in Lahore the `Q` leadership has been clearly conveyed that it could not be given more than four seats.

The party has given a green signal to Aleemullah Warraich from NA-64(Gujrat-Kunjah), former mayor Haji Nasir Mehmood from PP-31 (Gujrat city) and ex-MPA Haji Imran Zafar from PP-32 (Kunjah) to contest as independent candidates.

Following the direction, the three have got the election symbol of `bear` butgroup leader Haji Nasir Mehmood said they would launch campaign once the Punjab PML-N president Rana Sanaullah gave them a go ahead. He said RanaSana had him to wait for two to three days.

Senior PML-Q leader Chaudhry Salik Hussain had issued a statement a few days ago, blaming the PML-N for not fulfilling the Q`s demand. Sources said the PML-Q had sought at least four NA and eight PA seats but the PML-N gave just two NA (Gujrat and Bahawalpur) and as many PA seats which was notacceptable to the Q-League.

Publicly, the PML-Q has never identified the constituencies it is interested in.

Party sources said that it might be wanting all those seats it had won in 2018 under a seat adjustment with the PTI. At that time, Q had strong candidates.President of PML-N`s Gujranwala division exMNA Abid Raza Kotla told Dawn that he had conveyed the party leadership`s message to Haji NasirMehmood and others to contest as independent candidates with a same symbol.

He said despite the PML-Q`s taunt, asking the `N` leadership to issue party tickets to its candidates in Gujrat, the PML-N had shown restraint and did not issue tickets.

But now the party, Kotla said, would not stop its candidates from contesting as independent aspirants and, if required,the PML-N leadership would publicly own the independent panel being led by Mr Mehmood, a party old guard who had earlier announced to respect the decision of Nawaz Sharif.

Salik Hussain is PML-Q candidate from NA-64 and PP-32, whereas his elder brother Shafay Hussain is contesting from PP-31.

Earlier, the PPP withdrew Mian Fakhar Mushtaq Pagganwala from PP-31 on the request of PML-Q leadership.

Source said the PML-N leadership might wanted to put pressure on `Q` by allowing its (N) candidates to go as independent in response to the Q`s statement of exerting pressure on N`s leadership.

The PML-N has issued party tickets to nine candidates from 12 seats of the district -NA-62, 63 and 65 as well as from PP-27, 28, 29, 30, 33 and 34.

The PML-Q has also fielded candidates from 3 NA seats, including 62, 63 and 64 and at least 8 PA seats of the district.