DUSHANBE, December 25, Asia-Plus – A meeting of managing board of the Democratic Party of Tajikistan (DPT) held in Dushanbe on December 24 made a decision to revoke powers of the party leader Masoud Sobirov and his first deputy Saidjaffar Usmonov became acting chairman of the party.
This faction of the DPT held a briefing on this subject in Dushanbe today. Speaking to journalists, the DPT executive party Saidahmad Nabizoda said, “The main reason for dismissing Sobirov is his recent statement about possible unification with the Democratic party led by Mahmadruzi Iskandarov.” According to him, Sobirov made this statement without consent of other members of the party, which is in contrary to the party’s rules. “Therefore this statement and many others made by Sobirov without consent of the party’s managing board do not have an official status,” Nabizoda said.
For his part, the DPT deputy head Tabarali Ziyoyev noted that Masoud Sobirov had been discharged for his complete inactivity. “Sobirov has not taken part in managing the party; he frequently has not attended the party’s meetings,” Ziyoyev said.
“It is Sobirov to blame for our candidate, Tabarali Ziyoyev, fielded in November’s presidential election, having not been put on a list of the candidates,” said Nabizoda, “When we elected Sobirov head of the party we did not expect that we make mistake. Head of the Democrats should have democratic views himself, while Sobirov does not.”
Asked whether it is possible that Masoud Sobirov has been inactive in order to mess up the party in exchange for any position in the government, Usmonov said, “I have not heard about that.”
According to him, their faction will convoke an extraordinary congress on January 14 to consider activity of Masoud Sobirov over the past several months and make a final decision on replacement of the party leader.” The DPT acting chairman added that the extraordinary congress also will consider draft changes and addenda to the party rules. “The point is that some provisions of the present DPT Rules do not meet democratic principles,” Sobirov said.
We will recall that Masoud Sobirov in late March announced the formation of a Vatan (Homeland) faction within the Democratic Party of Tajikistan. That time, the DPT deputy head Rahmatullo Valiyev, the party”s deputy chairman, charged that the faction had been formed in violation of party regulations and suggested that the authorities might be behind the attempt to force a split.
In September, the Ministry of Justice recognized Masoud Sobirov as the official leader of the Democratic Party. However, a part of the Democratic Party recognizes Mahmadruzi Iskandarov, who is currently serving a 23-year prison sentence for corruption and terrorism, as its leader.
