Election rivalries develop rift within families

KABUL (Pajhwok): The 2014 presidential election campaign led to rift among families as relatives were observed supporting different candidates in the race.

Nasrullah Baryalai Arsalai and Haji Din Mohammad are two brothers but the former supported presidential contender Dr. Abdullah Abdullah but the latter Dr. Ashraf Ghani Ahmadzai.

Son of Amanullah Jabbarkhel, Nasrullah Baryalai Arsalai was born in 1958 in eastern Nangarhar province. Arsalai is the brother of former and late Jihadi leaders Haji Abdul Qadir and Haji Abdul Haq.

Haji Abdul Qadir was gunned down in 2002 by unidentified gunmen. He was the governor of Nangarhar province during President Hamid Karzai interim government.

Arsalai was presidential nominee in the 2009 presidential election, but he later withdrew in favour of Abdullah. At that time, Haji Din Mohammad was canvassing for President Hamid Karzai.

Haji Din Mohammad served as governor Nangarhar from 2002 to 2004. He also discharged his duties as governor of Kabul province from 2005 to 2009.

Haji Din Mohammad, Haji Abdul Haq and Haji Abdul Qadir had played greater role during Jihad Khalis, leader of Hizb-i-Islami branch.

He also served as National Directorate of Security (NDS during Mujahidin rule.

Abdul Haq along with his nephew, son of Haji Din Mohammad, were hanged by Taliban.

Haji Din Mohammad said his family had great contribution in country’s politics for years and rendered great scarifies for the country.

He told Pajhwok Afghan News: “Our family has religious and Jihadi background. We are serving our people we have fought and will be fighting for our country.”

He claimed a large number of people supported his family because of their role in country’s politics.

When asked about the visible split in his family in line with politics, Din Mohammad Said he had an extended family and everyone reserved the right to take part in politics.

Pajhwok Afghan News tried to know the view point of his brother, Nasrullah Bariali Arsalai, but he refused to talk on the subject.

Political analysts believe Arsalai family has influence among people, but their political differences were serving their financial interests.

Mohammad Anwar Sultani, a political analyst, said that former political parties and families had divided in two or more parts solely for their survival and economic benefits.

He claimed the Dr. Abdullah had close relations with Bariali Arsalai and former visited the latter’s hometown in Hisarak district back during 2009 election campaign.

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