"I have been instructed by Pak SBY (Mr Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono) as chief patron of the Democrat Party and Mas Anas (Anas Urbaningrum as chief of the party`s central executive board)," Soekarwo said here on Saturday.
Soekarwo said both Yudhoyono and Anas verbally asked him on Wednesday night (May 25) to run for the post.
"I have been asked (to run for the post) so I am ready to go ahead," said Soekarwo, who is also a member of the party`s board of patrons.
Soekarwo said he would later seek support from the party`s branches in the province`s 38 districts and municipalities.
"Not all chiefs of political parties must be elected by votes but they can also be chosen through deliberations," he said.
He expressed hope that he would be elected to the post by acclamation at the meeting next month.
Some Indonesian National Students Movement (GMNI) activists had objected to Soekarwo`s nomination as chief of the party`s provincial chapter for the 2011-2016 term.
They said they felt offended because he was nominated by Anas Urbaningrum, one-time chairman of the Islamic Students Association (HMI).
"We have for a long time been at odds with HMI over ideology and political strategy. Pak De Karwo should be sensitive to this matter. We are opposed to his nomination because he is chief of GMNI alumni association," said Jarot Hermansyah, former chief of GMNI`s branch in Surabaya.
(T.M038/S012/HAJM/H-YH)
Editor: Priyambodo RH
Copyright © ANTARA 2011
