KABUL -- Afghan Education Minister Yunis Qanuni is stepping into the unknown with a democratic exercise unheard of in modern-day Afghanistan -- setting up a political party to launch a possible bid for the presidency, all without a shot being fired.

Qanuni, who resigned as interior minister and then initially turned his nose up at the education post at this month's Loya Jirga (grand assembly), is forming the Nehzat-i-Melli, or national party, in memory of legendary Tajik commander Ahmad Shah Masood and expected to challenge Karzai when elections are held in 2004.

The party, a new democratic exercise for Afghanistan after 23 years of fighting Soviet occupation and internal conflict, has been recruiting volunteers from all over the country to spread its message and garner support.

Qanuni swept to power last year after the overthrow of the Taleban and became interior minister in Karzai's interim government that emerged under the UN-sponsored Bonn accord in December.

But he lost much of his power base earlier this month, losing his high-profile job as interior minister in return for modest posts as education minister and security advisor to Karzai.

Qanuni is now on the comeback trail.

Every day, hundreds of ambitious young Afghans come to the party's headquarters in Kabul and queue up for an audience with Qanuni or his top aides to make a contribution.

**********Offering Support One supporter, Abdul Ghani, in his 20s, has traveled a long distance to offer his services as a campaign volunteer.

He respectfully takes off his shoes before entering the party secretary's room. Bowing his head, he holds out with two hands a crumpled, handwritten book he wants to dedicate to the party.

The book contains heroic tales of Masood's exploits and his "sacrifices" during the war against Soviet occupation and the hardline Taleban, until he was assassinated last year.

The book is the only contribution he can make to keep alive the memory of "the martyr" and "lion of the Panjsher" Valley, now regarded by many as a national hero.

Party Secretary, Sayyed Bani, takes a quick glance through the pages and gives the book back.

"It is too fictional, not didactic enough," Bani said, repeatedly pausing to answer his mobile telephone.

"We want the facts about our proud history, something that would teach our youth a lesson."

*******Winning Hearts and Minds The next to enter the room is a young lawyer, offering to run one of the many cultural and educational centers Nehzat has set up throughout the country.

The party also tries to recruit members from business and professional sectors to ensure a broad base.

Students at its educational centers start learning politics at the age of 15.

"We recruit intellectuals, historians or anyone who has written about the three decades of jihad (holy war) and glory.

We publish or collect these works and use them in our educational centers," Bani told Reuters, sitting under a portrait of Masood.

"We want to set the intellectual foundation for the future generation. First we try to win people's hearts, then their political allegiance," he said, adding that the party's operations were financed by funds inherited from Masood.

Qanuni, along with Defense Minister Mohammad Fahim and Foreign Minister Abdullah Abdullah, were among three proteges of Masood who dominated Karzai's six-month interim government.

While Fahim and Abdullah managed to keep their posts in Karzai's new transitional government, which took office last week, Qanuni feels left out. The creation of the party, many say, is his way to get back at Karzai.

The president has, at least publicly, welcomed any political challenge marking a break from the violent past.

"Why not? It is legitimate for all Afghans to have the right to run for any office. It is a good thing that Mr. Qanuni wants to have a political party," Karzai said.

But Qanuni has attracted modest support from former allies, many of whom appear to have their own agendas and ambitions.

Both Fahim and Abdullah have distanced themselves from his party, apparently fearing involvement may get in the way of good relations with the president.

"If you ask me whether or not I want to be a member of that party, my answer is 'no'," Abdullah said last week. "I don't know the definition and nature of that party." Even Burhanuddin Rabbani, Qanuni's mentor and a former president, does not sound too excited. "The party is still budding. I do not know what they intend to do with that. I will have to wait and see what comes out of it," he told Reuters.

Rabbani, now largely a marginal figure, said he planned to form his own party to incorporate all the mujahideen holy warriors from all ethnic groups who fought the Taleban.

"Everyone now wants to have his own political party. Soon we will have the same mess of politics as we had of war," said Sayyed Karamuddin, the governor of Takhar Province.