2 political groups swing behind Rassoul

KABUL (Pajhwok): Two political parties threw their weight behind presidential candidate Dr. Zalmai Rassoul at a gathering marking the 19th death anniversary of Abul Ali Mazari, the founder of Wahdat-i-Milli Islami party, in Kabul on Thursday.

Mazari was killed by the Taliban in 1995 in Kabul after inviting him for a political dialogue and thrown his body from a helicopter in southern Ghazni province on the way to Kandahar.

Followers of Mazari carried his body on foot to Mazar-i-Sharif, the capital of northern Balkh province, where he was laid to rest.

His 19th death anniversary was observed at the Loya Jirga’s tent, where his followers and a large number of other political parties’ activists were in attendance.

Millat Party chief Dr. Mohammad Jafar Mehdawi said Mazari had been trying to strengthen national unity because he believed tribal differences could plunge Afghanistan into a deep turmoil. He added Mazari viewed elections as the only way to reach power.

Mehdawi said the April presidential and provincial council elections had a great importance because the ballot would be the first political transition from one elected government to another.

He said the Millat Party would support presidential candidate Zalmai Rassoul because his team had the ability to steer the country through a dignified transition and resolve problems being faced by the nation. “We have met with other candidates as well, but this team is comprised of clean individuals.”

Dr. Sadat, a leader of the Insijam-i-Milli Islami Party, headed by Sadiq Mudabbir, the Administrative Affairs head at the Presidential Palace, also announced his party’s support to Rassoul.

He said their party believed Rassoul’s team could resolve problems and challenges facing the country. He said the party leadership had urged its supporters and others to vote for Rassoul for the sake of political stability.

Rassoul, a former foreign minister, who was present at the gathering, thanked the two parties for announcing their support to him. In his address, the presidential candidate said Abdul Ali Mazari was a wise person who possessed constructive ideology about the country’s political stability.

He praised Mazari for his efforts to promote justice and national unity. “If we join hands, we can make Mazari’s wishes to come true.”

He said Afghanistan needed a moderate leadership and his team would fight against all forms of discriminations. “I want to form an effective government, where women also have a greater participation.”

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