Afghan politics complicated by Vice President Amarullah Saleh challenging Taliban

New Delhi, August 17, 2021, Tuesday

Three hours after the radical Taliban took control of Afghanistan, another major dramatic turn in politics has taken place. President-elect Abdul Ghani and some government leaders have fled Afghanistan and sought refuge abroad, but Amarullah Saleh, who has so far held the post of vice president in the Afghan government, is unwilling to bow to the Taliban at any cost. Is. He also said that he is currently inside the country and is legally acting president. I am contacting all the leaders for their opinion and support. In another tweet Saleh makes no sense to talk to America, we Afghans have to prove that Afghanistan is not Vietnam. We have not lost confidence in America and NATO.

The Taliban leaders said that Afghanistan would be in their hands after the capture of Kabul and the snapping of photos in the palace, but Vice President Saleh has challenged it. He has previously stated that he will not bow to the Taliban under any circumstances. On August 15, Saleh tweeted that he would not be willing to betray the legacy and soul of his great leader, Ahmed Shah Masood. He vowed never to be unfaithful to anyone who believed in him and declared that he would not be with the Taliban under any circumstances. The question of Saleh now declaring himself president of Afghanistan has become complicated. According to Afghanistan's constitution, the vice president takes the reins of the country in case of death, assassination or as a refugee fleeing abroad.

Thus, the Taliban have occupied most of Afghanistan. In many places, they have not faced any resistance. Surviving the lone battle, Amarullah has now moved to the Panjshir Valley, 30 km northeast of Kabul. Panjshirghati is an area where the Taliban could not win even 20 years ago. The Panjshir Valley remained invincible even during the Cold War era of the US and the Soviet Union when Soviet troops invaded Afghanistan. Vice President Amarullah comes from this Panjshir valley. The roads of Panjshirghati and the surrounding area surrounded by mountains are so inaccessible that it is not possible to invade by land. The Taliban also know that the locals of Panjshirghati are heavy fighters and will never let them win. The time to come will be crucial for the history of Afghan politics.