Benazir Bhutto’s 19-year-old son Bilawal was chosen on Sunday to succeed her as chairman of the Pakistan People’s Party (PPP), while her husband will serve as co-chairman, extending Pakistan’s most famous political dynasty to another generation.

The real power will stay in the hands of Zardari, who has for years battled charges of large-scale corruption during Benazir’s reign.

The PPP also announced that it would contest the elections. It urged Nawaz Sharif to do the same and give up the poll boycott it had announced after Bhutto’s assassination.

The PPP decisions followed a closed-door meeting of its central executive committee at her hometown Naudero, three days after the two-time prime minister was assassinated.

Bilawal, a student with no experience in politics, said he would remain at Oxford University, leaving his father, Asif Ali Zardari, as the effective leader of the country’s largest political party.

“The party’s long struggle for democracy will continue with renewed vigour,” Bilawal told a news conference. “My mother always said democracy is the best revenge.”

Supporters chanted “Benazir, Princess of Heaven” and “Bilawal, move ahead. We are with you”.

Bilawal, who will now be known as Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari, said that Zardari would “take care” of the party while he continued his studies. Zardari then told reporters to direct questions at him, saying his son was at a “tender age”.

Just 19, Bilawal cannot contest elections for the next six years.

Zardari immediately announced the PPP’s participation in the elections but said that senior party leader Makhdoom Amin Fahim would likely be their candidate for prime minister if they won.

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