PQ Leader Andre Boisclair attacked Bloc Quebecois Leader Gilles Duceppe over the weekend as rumours swirled that the federal MP is maneuvering for the provincial position.
In a television interview, Boisclair said Duceppe went to bed dressed up as the PQ leader. Duceppe said Sunday that he was "flabbergasted" by the comments.
The public move marks the first time that leaders of the two sister parties have ever spoken out against each other.
"There's a real problem of leadership," Frederic Bastien, an expert on Quebec politics, told 麻豆影视net.
"And now Mr. Boisclair, by attacking the most popular sovereigntist politician, is shooting himself in the foot."
But he added there may be truth to rumours that Boisclair will attempt to take over leadership of the PQ, and that there's growing dissent from Boisclair's own members.
"There are many people inside the PQ who are plotting against Mr. Boisclair, but I don't think Mr. Duceppe really wanted that to happen," he said.
"Now the PQ is in crisis and (Duceppe) is the one who may be able to take the leadership. Really, Mr. Boisclair only has himself to blame for that. He hasn't really been trying to reach people outside his own inner circle, and he's made wrong decisions."
Boisclair's remarks
Prominent PQ party member Yves Michaud accused Boisclair on Sunday of a lack of judgment in his attack on Duceppe.
"It's a flagrant lack of judgment," Yves Michaud told The Canadian Press.
Michaud said Boisclair should question his position within the sovereigntist party.
"Mr. Boisclair does not run the party," Michaud said. "It's the party members who run the party and it's they who will decide."
Boisclair has been enduring heavy criticism after the PQ's dismal performance in the recent provincial election.
Duceppe has so far remained quiet when asked if he's preparing to jump to provincial politics.
"You're damned if you do, damned if you don't," Mr. Duceppe responded when asked to say whether he was interested. "It will be up to the PQ members to decide the direction and the leadership of their party."
The PQ executive has offered Boisclair its support but proposed moving the party convention ahead by a year, to September 2008, when Boisclair would face a leadership review. Riding presidents will make a final decision this month.
Charest's government will present a new budget during the sitting, including an expected $950-million tax cut, reports the Montreal Gazette.
The Liberals have 48 seats, ADQ has 41 seats and the PQ has 36 seats.
With files from The Canadian Press
