SWABI, Dec 7: The local chapter of Awami National Party has thrown its weight behind Asfandyar Wali Khan amid allegations by Begum Nasim Wali Khan that he is involved in corruption and is also responsible for ANP`s defeat in the last general elections.

Some local ANP leaders told Dawn that the allegations made by Begum Wali against Asfandyar were indirectly aimed to support her brother, Azam Hoti, who dominated the party affairs during its five years rule in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

Mohammad Arshad advocate, who is overseeing membershipdrive of ANP in the district, said: `Those who level corruption charges against Asfandyar should also realise how they had harmed the party when they were at the helm,` he added.

Aamir Rehman, former MPA, said workers and leadership in the district would continue to support Asfandyar and that those who were hatching conspiracies against him would meet a dead end,` he added.

Tamraiz Khan, former district general secretary, said that the party had already tested an ignominious defeat in the May 11elections and that there was need of unity in the party ranks.`We should avoid blame game,` he added.

Other activists said Begum Nasim Wali could do so when the ANP was leading coalition government in the province.

She has kicked off a smearing campaign with the backing of people who have already lost their position in the party, they said.

The ANP local workers said despite differences in the party ranks in the district no one supported the `wrong move` of Begum Nasim Wali.

They said being wife of Khan Abdul Wali Khan they gave Begum Wali due respect, but her move hadharmed the party and defamed Wali Bagh leadership. Instead of leveling allegations against Asfandyar she should support him, they demanded.

The ANP activists said Asfandyar was the real heir of Wali Bagh and that both workers and leaders from the district had extended complete support to him.

However, a prominent leader asked why Asfandyar Wali had left party`s affairs to Azam Hoti and stayed away from workers when the party was in power. `Asfandyar Wali is responsible for the whole mess. He ignored the workers during past years,` he added.