DUSHANBE, January 28, 2011, Asia-Plus  -- The faction of ruling People’s Democratic Party (PDP) within the Majlisi Namoyandagon (Tajikistan’s lower chamber of parliament) met on January 27.

Muhammadato Sultonov, a spokesman for the Majlisi Namoyandagon, says election of a new head of the PDP faction within parliament was the focus of the meeting as Jumaboy Sanginov, the previous head of the PDP faction within the Majlisi Namoyandagon, was appointed the first deputy governor of Sughd province.

Upon the recommendation of President Emomali Rahmon, who is also leader of the PDP, Ms. Makhfirat Khidirova was elected new head of the PDP faction within parliament.

Founded in 1993, the People’s Democratic Party is the largest political party in Tajikistan, boasting some 130,000 registered members.  President Emomali Rahmon is chairman of the party.

The PDP controls some 65 percent of the seats in parliament (45 of 63 seats), while four other political parties represented in parliament (Communist, Islamic Revival and Agrarian parties as well the Party of Economic Reforms) have only two seats each in parliament.  Bedsides, the Majlisi Namoyandagon has 10 unaffiliated members.