Washington: Adding a twist to ongoing drama on her proposed deal with President Musharraf, Former Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto has said that if the deal fails to materialise, she might join hands with Nawaz Sharif if he agrees to part ways with the Islamist Muttahida Majlis-e-Amal. Bhutto said she was negotiating with Musharraf against the wishes of many in her party because of the confidence of the international community and the armed forces in him. "If our negotiations with Musharraf fall apart, we can always turn to the other political party," she told the The Washington Post and Newsweek.

"Nawaz Sharif and I had a falling out over the MMA. I think they (MMA) are the supporters of extremist groups. Nawaz wanted an alliance with them and I did not. As long as he is with them and they are in government, we will go as a third force," the Pakistan People's Party leader said. The Pakistan People's Party chief, however, said that time for negotiations was "running out and both sides will know shortly where each stands".

"Many in my party have been urging me to distance myself from General Musharraf. They say his popularity ratings are down," she said. "But I am trying to convince them that the international community and the armed forces have confidence in Musharraf, and therefore we need to work out a solution."

Bhutto said she was facing pressure from two sides--those in the party who believe in dialogue and those who think that time is running out and that she cannot continue talking "unless there are upfront confidence-building measures."