Islamabad, Jan 21: The PPP-led government in Pakistan will seek a fresh mandate from the people in 2013 on the basis of its performance, Prime Minister Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani said today, amid opposition demands for early polls.
Gilani made the remarks while addressing a large gathering at Sargodha in Punjab province after inaugurating several development projects.
He said that when elections are held in 2013, he would come to the people and seek their votes on the basis of the government's performance.
Without naming anyone, he said new entrants in the political arena, who were talking about a revolution, lacked the support of the people.
The premier's remarks appeared to be aimed at the Pakistan Tehrik-e-Insaf party of cricketer-turned-politician Imran Khan, who has been talking of unleashing a “tsunami” to remove other parties.
Gilani said some parties that came to power using “crutches” were washed away because they did not have roots among the people.
New political parties do not have any concrete programme and manifesto, he added.
The ruling Pakistan People's Party, being an ideological party, has roots in the masses and derives its strength from them, he said.
Gilani said major political parties like the PML-Q, Awami National Party and Muttahida Qaumi Movement were cooperating with the PPP.
“It is our power that we are going along with all the parties through reconciliation,” he said.
The next general election is scheduled for early 2013 but opposition parties like the PML-N and Pakistan Tehrik-e-Insaf have been demanding early polls.
