Lala Shovkat Hajiyeva: “This illiterate and primitive game damages the name of Ayaz Mutallibov”

You are going to put your candidacy to the parliamentary elections forward from the same constituency with Ayaz Mutallibov. The SDPA co-chairman Araz Alizade sounded sharp accusations to your address in this connection…

I informed four months before that if I participate in the elections, I will put my candidacy forward from the Yasamal election constituency # 17. I informed Eldar Namazov and Etibar Mammadov about my position when the “Yeni Siyaset” bloc was founded. We were promised at that time that we can temporarily take a place in the territory of Yasamal region for holding election campaign. That is why I chose this region. But in any case, I could put my candidacy forward from all constituencies of Azerbaijan and win.

Ayaz Mutallibov also explained that he will be the candidate from this constituency…

Me, Etibar Mammadov and Eldar Namazov were discussing the participation in the election question in February, before the “Yeni Siyaset” bloc was not founded. Etibar Mammadov asked at that time that if we decide to participate in the election, from which constituencies we will put our candidacies forward. I offered the territory of Yasamal. Both of them informed that we can also put our candidacies forward from the territory of Yasamal. I said that there are three constituencies in Yasamal, you chose two of those, and I will be the candidate from that one which you will not choose. They chose the election constituencies # 15 and 16, and the election constituency # 17 was left for me. Some period passed, the party of Ayaz Mutallibov also joined the bloc. After I returned from USA the SDPA chairman said in the meeting that we intend to put the candidacy of Mutallibov forward from the constituency # 17. He was responded that Lala Shovkat will put her candidacy forward from that constituency. Then we talked with Ayaz Mutallibov on the phone and he informed that I will not be the candidate from the constituency from which you are going to be. Araz Alizade informed in the press that we make concessions to Lala Shovkat. But I heard a week ago that Mutallibov wants to put his candidacy from that constituency. Generally, if anybody wants to be the candidate from any constituency, he is free to make this choice. But it is not right to change the decision after such declarations. Frankly speaking, at the same time, I started discussions with the members of my election headquarters and informed that If Ayaz Mutallibov is the candidate from that constituency, we should choose another constituency. I was decisive in this opinion. But SDPA spread a very insulting declaration yesterday. A very insulting step was taken against me, the Liberal Party and National Union Movement. They gave a declaration being contrary to political morality and full with aspersion. There can be no talk about my changing any decision after this declaration. They destroyed these bridges in unpleasant form. I was very disappointed. I did not expect such an action, level, incivility. I regret because the party led by Ayaz Mutallibov is in such direction.

What is the interest in holding this campaign?

It is not the matter of concern, this is simply primitive conflict. There is no point in their opinions. They say, Lale Shovkat is holding rally on 30 July, Ayaz Mutellimov’s photos will be displayed in the rally, that is sabotage against Mutellibov. There is no pint in these opinions. First, no one can display his photos in the rally. Thus, I am the organizer of this rally. Is it good for Rasul Guliyev and Ayaz Mutellibov if their photos are displayed in the rally organized by Lale Shovkat. Then Rasul Guliyev and Ayaz Mutellibov should thank me together. We have told that, our main demand is providing conditions for the returning of Rasul Guliyev and Ayaz Mutellibov to the home country if we are going towards the democratic election.

Did this camping cause your quitting “YeS” bloc?

There were 5 participants in the meeting when I made decision on quitting “Yes” and I was one of them. ASDP did not attend this meeting. The reason why I quitted “Yes” is some matter that I have not announced the press. I announced these matters in a limited frame, I do not accept these. These are great reasons that I “thank” to the “YeS” bloc for not having made them public. Only five were aware of these reasons. However, a person who is unaware of this talk writes the reason why I left the bloc. The person expressed his suppositions regarding this. I state again that, this illiterate, primitive game damages the image of Ayaz Mutellibov.

When are you going to announce these reasons?

It depends on time. Nobleness is good feature, but sometimes the people make. I preserve my nobleness today. But, let them continue their work, we shall se the result. I do not accept dirty campaigns. I wanted to compromise for Ayaz Mutellibov but it is impossible after that. This is not policy any more. This is conflict, rumor campaign.

Have you made up your mind regarding what blocs you will cooperate in the elections?

We are ready to cooperate with the parties and people having much in common with us and will cooperate. Some steps have already been taken, there were a lot of discussions and it seems to me that, we shall unite our forces for cooperation in future.

ALP has joined the actions determined by the other opposition forces. Will those forces take part in the actions that National Unity Movement has fixed on 30 July?

It is their choice to come. I have not addressed any party in particular and have not held discussion on it up to now. Because, we did not join their action at the invitation.

How is your attitude with “Azadlig” bloc?

I think of my attitude to be quite well with that bloc and we almost have the same goal. The time will show how much our relations are close. But we take into consideration the other forces as well.