Blaming President Pervez Musharraf [Images] for running down the country, former Pakistan premier Nawaz Sharif has demanded his resignation and renewed call for the formation of a government of national consensus to ensure free and fair general elections on January 8 as scheduled.

Musharraf is the rootcause of all problems in Pakistan and the country would be "doomed" if he did not step down, Sharif said.

Sharif, who said his PML-N party had reversed its decision to boycott the upcoming general election as a mark of solidarity for assassinated premier Benazir Bhutto [Images], reiterated that he would not work with Musharraf in any future government.

"Free and fair elections cannot be held under Musharraf," he told a news conference here. "We will contest the elections despite reservations (about rigging)."

Asked if he would consider working with Musharraf if the PML-N came to power, Sharif shot back: "This is the man guilty of abrogating and subverting the constitution and the law of land, this is the man guilty of unconstitutionally removing the judiciary from the Supreme Court and the High Court.

"You want me to work with such a man? I think the nation needs to get rid of this man, I think I would be antagonizing the people if I were to work with this man."

The PML-N, he said, had three demands -- Musharraf should quit, a government of national consensus should be formed and free and fair polls should be held.

Sharif also vowed to work for reinstating the judges of the superior judiciary who were sacked for not endorsing the emergency imposed by  Musharraf last month.

Accusing the President of trying to delay the polls, he said the PML-N wants the election to be held on January 8.