Reformists likely to agree on Khatami: ally

Reformists will come to a consensus to support Mohammad Khatami's candidacy, should he join the presidential race, a Khatami ally has said.

“Khatami is a competent and charismatic figure and if he announces his candidacy, Mr. Karroubi would respect the 'collective wisdom' and will withdraw from the race,” said Morteza Haji, director of Baran Foundation.

Haji, 60, headed Khatami's electoral constituency a decade ago, when the former reformist president was running for his first term in 1997.

Mehdi Karroubi, secretary general of the National Confidence Party, has officially declared his candidacy.

“Karroubi has agreed to form an 'arbitration Council' to narrow the differences over the reformists' candidate in the upcoming presidential election, but talks are underway on how to form the Council,” said Haji, who was the minister of cooperatives and the education during Khatami's tenure.

He said there are various options to verify the popularity of the candidates. “Poll analysis is one option, while another could be invitation of trusted figures from all parties to judge the popularity of each candidate.”

An opinion poll suggested that among the two, Khatami would stand a better chance in the election. However, Karroubi rejected the results.

The demand for Khatami to step into the pitch is soaring and despite the obstacles faced by the former president, he is unlikely to turn down the requests, Haji said.

This is while some reformists including the Chairman of the Supreme Council of Iran's Hambastegi (Solidarity) Party suggested on Friday that a Khatami presidential bid could prove to be counterproductive.

“If Khatami does not express readiness to run in the tenth presidential elections, Mehdi Karroubi would be considered the most viable candidate considering his social recognition in the country,” Mohammad-Reza Rah-Chamani argued.

(Source: Press TV)

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