Some former members of the disbanded National Democratic Party (NDP) insisted they would run in upcoming parliamentary elections due to their popularity and ability to service their constituencies, as they put it.
Yet others find that they were rejected after the revolution and feel they stand no chance of winning.
“I had nothing to do with the corruption of the former regime,” said former NDP member Ibrahim al-Abboudy, who plans to run in the elections.
Abboudy lashed out at the Muslim Brotherhood. “It was actually the Brotherhood that corrupted political life by voting against each and every resolution parliament wanted to pass,” he said. “At least I was an active MP.”
Former NDP member Emad al-Daragly said the people of his district want him to run in the elections.
His former colleague Akmal Qortam said he had submitted 18 interpellations against the government when he was an MP. “I have ideas that could benefit the country,” he said, adding that the revolution has created new mechanisms for change and development. “The old mechanisms were all in the hand of the ruling party.”
Meanwhile, former NDP members Abdel Rahman Rady and Sherine Fouad decided not to run in the elections, which they said the people of their constituency appreciate. “I want to give others a chance,” Rady said.
Translated from the Arabic Edition
