DUSAHNBE, July 25, Asia-Plus - “I flatly deny statement by the Democratic Party of Tajikistan (DPT) that “Minbari Khalq” allegedly interferes in its internal affairs as absolutely unfounded,” Mansour Sayfiddinov, editor-in-chief of the “Minbari Khalq” weekly, said in his interview with Asia-Plus, commenting on yesterday’s news conference held by the DPT deputy head Rahmatullo Valiyev.  

According to him, an article entitled “Hizbi Demokrati Tojikiston Ehyo Meshavad or Barham Mekhurad?” (Will Democratic Party of Tajikistan Revive or Break Up?) published in “Minbari Khalq”, official papers of the People’s Democratic Party of Tajikistan (PDPT), on July 16, had exclusively information character and did not contain any prejudiced conclusions and comments.  

“The point is that a group of members of the DPT intending to form a Vatan (Homeland) faction within the DPT hosted a news conference, and all journalists, including correspondents from “Minbari Khalq”, were informed of that,” said Mr. Sayfiddinov.  

He stressed that “Minbari Khalq” as official papers of the PDPT has never interfered in internal affairs of other political parties and “it never attempted to force a split within the Democratic Party.” 

As it had been reported earlier the DPT deputy head Rahmatullo Valiyev on July 24 suggested that forces receiving support from ruling People’s Democratic Party of Tajikistan might be behind the attempt to force a split within Tajikistan ’s Democratic Party.  According to him, some media in the country have released slanderous reports blackening the DPT activities.