The media-spread rumors about the authorities’ plans to force the Prosperous Armenia Party (PAP) into joining the Opposition or about a large number of members leaving the party are absurd, the PAP member Naira Zohrabyan told NEWS.am.

According to her, the rumors would not have to be commented on if they were not so persistent and well-planned. Mrs. Zohrabyan advised the persons who “ordered” the rumors to stop “this nonsense” of making the PAP part of certain scenarios that have nothing to do with reality. “The people determined the PAP’s place and role in the country’s political arena by voting for it during the parliamentary elections. In turn, the party keeps its promises to the people,” Zohrabyan said.

She refuted the rumors about numerous PAP members leaving the party. “Party members leaving it, simultaneously with the party’s improving ratings – the party’s improving ratings are confirmed by poll results – is against any political logic,” Zohrabyan said. According to her, more and more people are joining the party day by day.

“We do not even try to find out who, and for what purposes, is spreading the rumors about the PAP,” she said.

According to media reports, the Armenian authorities “have worked out a program of forcing the PAP into joining the Opposition and reducing its role to nothing.” With this end in view, the authorities allegedly plan to arrest a number of influential PAP members. Mass media also report on a large number of PAP members leaving the party.