Ahmadinejad: The Leader's Recommendation Did Not Prevent My Candidacy

In his first statement after the unexpected registration of Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, the former president of Iran, for the twelfth presidential election, he said that the Leader's 'recommendation' to him did not mean 'prohibition', but at the same time, his candidacy is solely 'to support Hamid Bakai'. According to the Iranian Students News Agency, ISNA, Ahmadinejad explained: 'The Supreme Leader advised me not to participate as a candidate in the elections, and I accepted. However, this was not a prohibition and his recommendation did not prevent my presence.' He also claimed that there is 'widespread pressure from the people for my presence in the field.' Nevertheless, he stated: 'I adhere to my moral promise, and my registration in the elections is solely to support my dear brother Mr. Bakai.' An hour earlier during the registration at the Ministry of Interior, Ahmadinejad responded to a question from a reporter from the Iranian Labor News Agency, ILNA, asking whether he had consulted with the Supreme Leader or if conditions had changed that led him to register for the elections, by simply 'remaining silent and laughing.' Hamid Bakai, Ahmadinejad's deputy during his presidency, also registered for the upcoming elections on Wednesday, April 23. Esfandiar Rahim Mashaei, Ahmadinejad's assistant and head of his office, accompanied the two at the election headquarters. Ali Khamenei, the Supreme Leader of the Islamic Republic, had previously said he recommended Ahmadinejad not to run in the upcoming elections. Khamenei stated: 'A gentleman came to me, and I, considering the interests of that person and the country, said that I do not think it is appropriate for you to participate in this matter... If you enter this issue, a bipolarity will be created in the country.' After registering for the elections, Ahmadinejad also expressed support for Bakai's candidacy, saying: 'He was in prison for seven and a half months, and I do not want to repeat under what conditions, but not a single instance of abuse or violation against him has been proven. While he was under the most difficult conditions, I announced from the first day of his detention that I support his integrity.' The former president of Iran added: 'Ultimately, it became clear to everyone that this small son of the nation is a pure individual, and those who were responsible for the flood of accusations against the previous government officially apologized for all the accusations and slanders against Mr. Bakai, which was also recorded in judicial authorities.' Meanwhile, the newspaper Shargh, in its April 23 issue, quoted Bahram Parsai, a member of the Parliament's Article 90 Commission, as saying that 'the Court of Audit has voted for Hamid Bakai's suspension from service, and I am surprised that he has registered for the presidential election knowing this ruling.'