KABUL (PAN): Some political analysts believe the rejection of majority of men nominated as cabinet members is a trick of the president, but others see the move as reflective of the Wolesi Jirga's increasing assertion of its authority. Eleven of the 24 cabinet picks introduced by President Karzai to the Wolesi Jirga for approval were new faces. Only one of the nominees was approved while the rest were rejected by parliamentarians. Sayed Bilal Fatimi, political analyst, says President Karzai played a trick by introducing them as ministers and then silencing them with the help of the Wolesi Jirga. Fatimi felt the president had no option but to name a cabinet in accordance with the promises held out to different individuals and groups during the election campaign. He said Karzai was not ready to include people of different parties in his cabinet. He thought the president had no other excuse but to have them snubbed through Parliament. Quite unusually, as many as 232 members of the Wolesi Jirga were present during the voting process. Political analyst Waheed Muzhda, however, is of the opinion the rejection is a proof of the authority of the Wolesi Jirga. He said many members who remained absent from routine sessions ensured their presence to exercise their right to vote. He added some of the nominees were rejected without any reason. Muzhda saw foreign threats behind the rejection of some of the ministers-designate by Wolesi Jirga members. But a spokesman for the United National Front, key opposition group, supported the decision of the Wolesi Jirga. Ghulam Dastagir Hazhbar said Karzai had made promises to several individuals and groups during the election campaign and tried to honour them, but the Wolesi Jirga did the right thing by refusing to endorse all his nominees. Bilal Fatimi, on the other hand, said some powerful parliamentarians had been able to ensure the inclusion of ministers of their choice in the new cabinet, which Karzai has promised to be small, clean and competent. Presidential spokesman Waheed Omar told a news conference the other day Karzai had formed a cabinet that comprised capable and experienced ministers and gave representation to all tribes and ethnic communities. He said the president would soon introduce new ministers. Of the 11 cabinet picks, Makhdoom Raheen was the only person who won a vote of confidence from the legislators. Among those rejected were men from different groups, parties and jihadi organisations led by strongmen like Muhammad Mohaqiq, Rashid Dostum, Pir Sayed Ahmad Gilani and Abdul Rab Rasul Sayyaf. Those who failed to get the trust vote included Muhammadullah Batash, Wais Ahmad Barmak, Enayatullah Baleegh, Obaidullah Obaid, Eng. Mirza Hussain Abdullahai, Ghulam Muhammad Yailaqi, Enayatullah Nazari, Sayed Hamid Gilani and Muhammad Ismail Munshi. Anwarul Haq Ahadi, who resigned as finance minister before the presidential elections, was also rejected by the Wolesi Jirga. Also denied the trust vote were former ministers Amirzai Sangin, Sarwar Danish, Dr. Sayed Muhammad Amin Fatimi, Muhammad Ismail Khan, Husn Bano Ghazanfar, General Khodaidad and Muhammad Yousaf Pakhtun. dk/mud