NCRI- The “rally” that has long been subject of infighting within the regime was held on Thursday at Azadi Stadium but did not happen as advertised.
Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, the Iranian regime’s president, attended the so-called rally but his close aide Rahim Mashaei was absent. The event was expected to be the unofficial start of Mashaei’s campaign.
Ahmadinejad did attend the half-empty stadium and the program that did not have significant political content.
Ahmadinejad thanked government workers for their efforts in ensuring that the new year celebrations held with lot of travels throughout the country during the two-week holiday in end of March.
Large numbers of Revolutionary Guards, Basij forces, security forces, and intelligence and plain clothes agents were present at the scene.
The website of Mohsen Rezai described the event as a ‘costly feast’ and wrote that free sandwiches, cakes, lunch and SIM cards were distributed among the audience.
Media linked to Khamenei said the slogans and behavior at the rally were deviant. The rival faction has described Rahim Mashaei and those working with him as “deviant.”
