Al-Sadr's followers eye comeback in Jan. 31 vote

[Joanne98]

Source: AP

AMARAH, Iraq (AP) — Followers of anti-American Shiite cleric Muqtada al-Sadr hope to win back their position as a major force in this month's regional elections after a string of military and political setbacks last year.

Even modest success in the Jan. 31 vote for ruling provincial councils could position the Sadrists as coalition partners in key southern provinces, where a large number of candidates makes it unlikely any single party can win on its own.

Anything short of that could relegate the once formidable al-Sadr to political irrelevance — something unthinkable a year ago when his fearsome Mahdi Army militia wielded vast power in Shiite areas of Iraq.

"This month's elections will decide who remains in the political arena and who will go into oblivion," said senior Sadrist lawmaker Hassan al-Rubaie. "If we fail to do well, our movement could fragment, and some of its key figures could be lured away by rival blocs trying to destroy us."



Read more: http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5gaZlia9uOjbRfwQDs5YgyPTL6gBAD95PO1M00

[tekisui]

1. This election in Iraq will be a mark to see how successful the

legitimacy of the Iraqi government is. If the numbers of people voting is significant, then we can move faster at getting our troops out.

[ohio2007]

2. his share of seats will drop big this time around. Sunni are not going to boycott

Hows college life in Iran treating you ?
Haze the gays lately down at Cum Lauda house ?


http://abcnews.go.com/story?id=4600140