Alliances go wild as runoff draws closer

KABUL Tarakhel, a parliamentarian, on Monday joined forces with presidential runner Ashraf Ghani Ahmadzai while Ahmad Wali, founder of Massoud Foundation, swung behind his rival Dr. Abdullah in the runoff election.

Arsala had contested the previous round of presidential election held on April 5 but trailed behind all the eight candidates.

Addressing a gathering in Kabul, Arsala said though he knew well both the frontrunners but chose to support Ahmadzai because of his comprehensive plans to rebuild Afghanistan.

“Ashraf Ghani is the right man to lead the county,” he said, believing Ghani’s programmes and policies could bring about peace, stability and development to the war-torn country. 

Meanwhile, Mullah Tarakhel, a Wolesi Jirga or lower house member, and some Kochi tribe elders announced support to Ghani during a separate gathering in Kabul.

Tarakhel said Ghani could put the country on the path to development. “After consulting elders and studying his programmes, I decided to support Ghani.”

Similarly, Ahmad Wali Massoud, founder of Ahmad Shah Massoud Foundation, told reporters in Kabul he would back Dr. Abdullah in the runoff election.

He said the policies and programmes of Dr. Abdullah could bring peace and prosperity to Afghanistan. He encouraged his supporters to vote for Abdullah.

Massoud hoped the Afghans would emerge in great numbers to cast their votes during the June 14 election to elect their future leader.

mrh/ma

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