Asfandyar vows to reclaim ANP's terror-torn mandate

ISLAMABAD: Accepting Awami National Party's (ANP) whitewash in Election 2013, Asfandyar Wali Khan Thursday said his party had preferentially settled on manning the Opposition benches in all the houses, Geo News reported.

Addressing a press conference here, he vowed to reclaim the mandate, which, according to him, was snatched by "terrorism" in Khyber Pkahtunkhwa.

The ANP workers and leaders were restricted to their homes and not allowed to freely participate in the election campaign, he added.

Asfandyar said that no party could perform when it was not provided a level playing field.

"Pre-poll attacks on ANP corner meetings was a conspiracy to keep us out of the electoral process, which eventually made it impossible for ANP to connect with its voters. I can say it became one of the causes of our defeat", said an emotional Wali.

He said the most unfortunate thing that dawned upon us in the light of a myriad of evidence was how the terrorists pulled the strings in the polls.

"In the beginning we believed Chief Election Commissioner, Fakhruddin G Ibrahim, was the referee of this match (elections), but now evidence shows it was Hakimullah Mehsud who called the shots in the stead of the former", said he.

He said how could you fight your opponent if you were thrown in the arena with your hands tied.

Wali also announced to constitute a committee to investigate as to why the most popular political party of KPK tanked on its turf.

He said that the Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf and the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz should respect each others mandate.

"Respect begets respects. I don't accept your mandate now you will not accept mine the next time", he added.

Replying to a question, the ANP chief said that his party would support the new government in restoring peace in the country.

To a question about his mother, Begum Naseem Wali Khan's holding him responsible for the party's failure, a smiling Asfandyar said, "What can I say. She's my mother."

Top ANP leadership was also present on the occasion.