Harare — Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai has launched a nationwide consultative exercise on the way forward for his formation of the Movement for Democratic Change (MDC-T) in the Government of National Unity (GNU) as hardliners in the party push for a total pull-out following the latest spat between the former trade unionist and President Robert Mugabe over alleged unilateralism.

The consultative process kicked-off in Mabvuku on Tuesday evening where the MDC-T leader briefed his supporters on the stalemate in the inclusive government spawned by the alleged flagrant violations of the Global Political Agreement (GPA) by one of the partners in the coalition, the stalled constitution-making process and the pending elections.

The premier, who is encouraging his party faithful to prepare for the make or break polls next year, was expected to take his consultations to the restive old township of Highfield yesterday although his party was still to secure a police clearance in line with the draconian Public Order and Security Act.

MDC-T insiders said the public gatherings to be extended countrywide were being used to gauge popular opinion on the way forward regarding the troubled GNU following the premier's latest clash with President Mugabe.

Last week, the premier queried his main rival's unilateral re-appointments of governors, diplomats and judges - declaring them null and void.

He also took his case to the United Nations, the European Union and South Africa requesting the expulsion of diplomats appointed by the incumbent without consulting the other partners in the alliance.

At its last meeting, the MDC-T's national executive endorsed the consultations perceived in some quarters as the Prime Minister's preliminary stages of his presidential campaign ahead of next year's polls.

The party's working committee also convened a two-day retreat in Johannesburg, South Africa on Friday and Saturday last week to lay the groundwork for the consultative meetings whose outcome will guide the party on whether or not to continue in the coalition.

Tsvangirai is under immense pressure from hardliners within the party's rank and file to take stern measures against ZANU-PF's unilateralism.

Sentiment among the hardliners is that the premier and his team should quit the coalition forthwith and immediately launch a vigorous presidential bid for the next polls.

President Mugabe revealed last week that he would not extend the lifespan of the GNU due to sharp differences between them, hinting that he might call elections to deal with the problems posed by the power-sharing arrangement mid next year. This was after the premier had written to regional and international leaders over his alleged unilateralism in the coalition.

Tsvangirai is also likely to use the consultations to test the waters ahead of the polls, which his party says must be held under a fully functional independent electoral commission.

Tension has been high in the fragile inclusive government since Tsvangirai complained bitterly over President Mugabe's unilateralism. The GPA principals this week failed to meet for their weekly Monday meetings due to the latest fall-out.

According to the GPA and Constitution Amendment Number 19 there should be consultations on the appointment of key bureaucrats between the three principals.

Nelson Chamisa, the spokesperson for the MDC-T, confirmed the on-going consultations.

"He (Prime Minister Tsvangirai) has been holding consultations and engaging the people. We want to get the people's views on what is happening in the party and what they think of the inclusive government. We want to come up with a way forward. Of course as leaders we will decide but the people should also tell us what they want," he said.

Critics have however, warned the MDC-T against pulling out of the present power sharing arrangement.

Last year in October Tsvangirai and the MDC-T temporarily disengaged from the government over ZANU-PF's alleged intransigency but they were coaxed to get back after regional and international pressure.

"The reality is that the outstanding GPA issues will not be resolved soon, probably not before constitutional referendum," said Sanderson Makombe, a political analyst.

"Therefore the MDC should consolidate what they have already and shift into overdrive on key reforms that will lessen the risk of a stolen election and political violence. This includes campaigning for early deployment of election monitors for at least six months before the election date, the voters roll issue and getting the confidence of some security forces," added Makombe.

There are also fears that the country could plunge into political crisis reminiscent of the period before the GNU, which was characterised by violence, should the MDC-T quit the coalition.

National University of Science and Technology lecturer and analyst, Lawton Hikwa, said the inclusive government will not collapse despite the latest spat in the coalition.

"They have promised the nation to see their term through and just by that, they need to exercise good political will and tread in favour of more significant issues such as the revival of the economy, writing of the new constitution, amendment of repressive laws and eventual discourse of this country towards a new and democratic setup," he said.

But Trevor Maisiri of Africa Reform Institute fears for the worst.

He said: "We must not write-off the Prime Minister's actions as a waste of time or as non-effectual grandstanding. There will be a lot of diplomatic insinuations that his actions will point towards."

"What ZANU-PF must also realise now is that because of the pressure exerted by the Prime Minister's actions, the party may be calling for elections when it is not ready itself. ZANU-PF is now acting out of frustration and haste and this is dangerous for the party itself, for the MDC-T and for the ordinary Zimbabwean. It is dangerous for the party because it may go head-long into an election with an assumption of supremacy, which is not backed by capacity," he said.