Has anything changed in Bagratyan’s ‘dreams?’
It would be nice of the Armenian National Congress (HAK) to support Hrant Bagratyan who has already announced his intention to run in February's presidential polls.
"If the HAK sought to unseat the acting authorities and focused on the change of power in its platform, I must say that it was not enough. Another ideology needs to be added here," said Hrant Bagratyan.
The chairman of the Azatutyun (Liberty) Party has already informed HAK leader Levon Ter-Petrosyan about his intention. If Ter-Petrosyan decides to contest the 2013 elections, Bagratyan is ready to reconsider his intention.
"I have already said that I do not think that he (Ter-Petrosyan) will run in the elections... We have worked together for 25 years. However, I am ready to review my decision," said the HAK MP.
Hrant Bagratyan dismisses the reports that his nomination was determined by the wiretapped conversation between HAK Coordinator Levon Zurabyan and Armenia's ex-foreign minister, a lawmaker of the Prosperous Armenia Party (BHK), Vartan Oskanian.
Bagratyan says he has been thinking about nomination for a long time.
"I have told my teammates from the opposition alliance about my intention 3-4 months ago," he said adding that the issue had also been discussed with the HAK faction.
Hrant Bagratyan does not care whether he will be elected or not. At present, he relies on the opposition to elect him during the presidential polls. Mr Bagratyan says his party has not yet taken a decision concerning its alleged withdrawal from the HAK. Anyway, he thinks that the format of the opposition alliance is not viable.
"A structure of this format cannot become a systematic structure," he said.
Azatutyun was convening a congress on December 24. Invited to the meeting was also the leader of the Free Democrats party, Khachatur Kokobelyan, who could not say whether or not he would support Hrant Bagratyan in February's elections.
In November HAK MP Hrant Bagratyan was amused by a journalist's question whether the opposition bloc was going to name an alternative candidate in the 2013 elections.
"I did not dream about it in my childhood. At that time I had no idea about it. I have said it continually that HAK should name its candidate. Do not worry, I shall give the name of our candidate when the day comes," Bagratyan said during today's meeting with reporters.
