Bhutto's widower, Asif Ali Zardari, told reporters in Larkana Sunday he will act as the party chairman while his son, Bilawel, 19, will serve a ceremonial role until he finishes his studies at Britain's Oxford University.

''From now on my son's name will be Bilawal Bhutto Zardari,'' Zardari said.

Bilawel said his mother told him "democracy was the best revenge" and party leaders urged Pakistanis to put their anger over Bhutto's death to work at the polls, India's NDTV reported.

The appointment of the elder Zardari could prove to be controversial. He spent more than a decade in prison on corruption and murder charges. Critics gave him the nickname of "Mr. 10 percent" based on his credibility.