Wealth and Power Centers in the Hands of the “Astray Current”

Parviz Sorouri expressed his concern over activities of the Astray Current and said, “Unfortunately we hear disturbing news about some misusing their power and money to win the next parliamentary election.” He added, ”warnings about the method of money distribution, intervention in the election etc., are given by some honest officials and they are mostly directed at the Astray Current; this current has implicitly started election activities in Tehran, which is illegal. However these electoral warnings are not only concerned about the Astray Current-- they also focus on people involved in the 88 Fetneh. It seems that this movement is also becoming active and is investing in people who were less damaged by the Fetneh”. Sorouri added that these currents try to financially support candidates and,” by doing this become their patrons. Therefore candidates who want to take part in the next elections should be aware of the fact that the Astray Current is spending a huge amount of money on supporting candidates. This current tries to evade giving explanations to the accusations made against it by talking about irrelevant issues”. This MP stated that, ”regulatory agencies should scrutinize election activities and prevent any illegal ones. The main danger threatens independent candidates, since the Astray Current is after absorbing staff and it seems that independent candidates are better targets”.        

Ali Abbas Pour Tehrani, who believes that the Astray Current activities alarm bell rang a long time ago said, “MPs from other provinces have warned about the early activities of the Astray Current in some cities. Recently some officials also warned about the intervention of currents close to the administration in electoral activities.” Abbas Pour, the head of the Education Commission in Parliament claimed, “the Astray Current and some individuals close to the administration try to attract people with false promises. There are also some theories on the intervention of the administration itself in the election, which I think are not at all irrelevant since the administration has recently been making very illogical statements to regain its popular support. Giving away 1000 meters of land to each Iranian is one of these irrational statements which could have electoral purposes behind it. The administration only focuses on giving people their cash subsidies and uses other sectors to fulfill this one. Meanwhile, the industrial and farming sectors are collapsing but the administration only tries to keep the ordinary voter happy”. He further added, “most activities of the administration now have signs of the parliamentary elections, which should be addressed by regulatory agencies. The Astray Current benefits from good facilities in addition to the support of the administration; in other words, this current possesses both the power and wealth centers. Therefore, when it tries to evade these accusations and blame other movements it looks very obscene and indecent. The Supreme Audit Court, regulatory agencies and the Guardian Council have a great responsibility in stopping election activities of this current. Also the Judiciary should address people who want to change the results of the election to their own benefit using their money”.

Seyed Reza Akrami, MP from Tehran who also believes that the Astray Current is trying to buy votes, said, “Some statements prior to the elections are not bad and create more enthusiasm for the elections, but some turn into warnings, which is dangerous.” This member of the Parliamentary Cultural Commission claimed that, “we should not allow some to influence the election results through their wealth and power. The Astray Current has influenced almost everything-- to the point that main issues like employment, housing and the inflation have become minor issues-- which is not pleasant”.