KABUL (Pajhwok): Above 90 percent participants of a Pajhwok Afghan News opinion poll oppose the award of marshal rank to former vice-president General Abdul Rashid Dostum as part of a proposed political agreement between President Ashraf Ghani and Abdullah Abdullah.
The political tension arose after President Ashraf Ghani was declared the winner of last September's election following delays due to allegations of vote-rigging.
Ghani was re-elected with 50.64% of the vote, but his main rival Abdullah Abdullah, who came second with 39.52%, contested the result, declared victory, and vowed to form his own parallel government.
Pajhwok conducted the online survey amid rumors of a possible breakthrough in talks between the two political rivals on forming a national government.
Abdullah’s spokesman Omid Maisom says the former CEO sent a proposed plan to the Presidential Palace five days ago, but the palace has been silent so far.
Reports say Abdullah has sought the award of marshal rank to Rashid Dostum as part of the political reconciliation, a proposal confirmed by Dostum’s aide Bashir Ahmand Tinj a day earlier.
In the Facebook survey, Pajhwok asked participants if they agree or disagree with the award of marshal rank to Dostum. As many as 2400 people took part in the poll.
Ninety-one percent participants of the survey said they opposed the award of marshal title to Dostum and nine percent supported the proposal.
Some 836 participants also expressed their views about the issue.
Dostum may not be given the rank
One participant Ibadullah Akbari wrote that the question had nothing to do with people’s agreement or disagreement because the ranks of general and marshal were given under exclusive rules to those who had some achievements in difficult times.
He said it was unfortunate that the ranks of general and marshal were now linked to elections in Afghanistan staged attacks across the country including capital Kabul.
Imam and he did not utter a word and now he demands marshal rank.”
Another participant Zarawar Afghan said Dostum had killed innocent people and destroyed their homes. He should be given the title of traitor and corrupt.
Watan ya Kafan Facebook page users said there were other key issues which needed discussion. What happened after Qasim Fahim was given the marshal rank, he asked, saying the actual issue was power sharing with Abdullah who should not be given back the CEO post.
Mohammad Yasir said the award should be given to Dostum because there were no rules for such titles. Dostum, who is illiterate, was first VP under which law, he questioned.
“We don’t know the rank of marshal is earned in politics or in the battlefield,” said Ziaulllah Gianwal.
Ahmad Eshchi son, Baktash Eshchi, in an open Facebook link has asked Abdullah Abdullah to explain why he sought the marshal rank for Dostum.
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