KULOB, December 28, Asia-Plus - “All disagreements within our party will be settled at an extraordinary congress that will be held in Dushanbe on January 14,” Amrokhon Safarov, head of the Democratic Party’s (DPT) organization for Kulob, said.

According to him, Kulob Democrats have unanimously supported election of Masoud Sobirov as leader of the party but later rumors have appeared that Sobirov and Rahmatullo Valiyev, deputy head of the DPT led by Mahmadruzi Iskandarov, plan to unify both wings into one party. 

“We held a meeting of the party’s managing board but Sobirov did not present himself,” said Safarov, “Sobirov also did not attend a news conference that was given on this subject the next day.” 

“Now all issues will be considered at the extraordinary congress on January 14,” said the Kulob DPT organization head, “Anyway, we will not unite with the with the Iskandarov-led wing.”  “If Sobirov does not attend the congress the Kulob Democrats will turn back upon him and support Saidjaffar Ismonov and Tavarali Ziyoyev,” Safarov said.  

As it had been reported earlier, a December 24 meeting of the DPT managing board removed Masoud Sobirov as party leader named his first deputy, Saidjaffar Ismonov, as acting chairman of the party.  The next day, the DPT leadership have a news conference on this subject in Dushanbe.  Speaking to journalists, DPT official Saidahmad Nabizoda said that the main reason for the move was Sobirov’s recent statement about the possible unification with the Iskandarov-led wing.  According to Nabizoda, the statement was made without consent or authorization of the party’s managing board.