Lahore: Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz leader Nawaz Sharif said on Monday that he was never in favor of his party-led coalition taking over government following Imran Khan’s ouster following a vote of no confidene in April.

The remarks come in the wake of a stunning defeat in Punjab, Pakistan’s heartland and long considered a PML-N stronghold, in the recently concluded by-elections on the 20 seats that were vacated following the de-notification of 25 PTI’s dissident lawmakers. Five of the de-seated lawmakers were on reserve seats which aren’t contestable.

Nawaz, a three-time elected prime minister who didn’t complete anny of the terms, made these remarks reportedly during a telephone conversation with former president and PPP Co-chairperson Asif Ali Zardari and JUI-F chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman.

In the telephonic conversation, the three leaders reviewed the defeat of the PML-N candidates in the by-elections of Punjab. Of the 20 seats up for grabs, PML-N was successful on four seats, while the PTI claimed 15 seats. One seat was one by an independent candidate.

This means that PTI is in the driving seat in Punjab, now having 178 votes. Its ally in Punjab, the PML-Q, has ten seats. With 188 seats, they can have their chief minister in the 371-member Punjab Assembly. A simple majority of 186 votes is required for a nominee to be elected chief minister, likely to be Chaudhry Pervez Elahi.

During the conversation, it was opined that the PML-N’s poor showing in the polls was due rising inflation and increase in petroleum products’ prices. Since coming to power, the PM Shehbaz-led coalition government petrol and diesel prices nearly doubled while inflation remained out of control.

Those privy to the conversation said that Nawaz reiterated that he was against taking over the government “but agreed on the insistence of his friends”.

The troika of Zardari, Nawaz and Fazl also discussed the proposals related to early general elections in the country.

In the telephonic conversation, it was agreed that a detailed plan of action would be taken in consultation with the allies.