TEHRAN Several influential groups are lobbying for the disqualification of Ebrahim Asgharzadeh, a key challenger to President Mohammad Khatami in the June 8 presidential elections, the Persian daily **** Jaam-e Jam **** said on Tuesday.

"Some institutions, linked with the government, are under pressure to provide the (oversight) Guardian Council with information which could lead to the disqualification of Asgharzadeh," the paper said.

According to the daily, those groups fear that Asgharzadeh's running could shutter consensus among reformist groups, to which both the contenders belong.