Former head of Arabkir district in Yerevan Hovhannes Shahinyan applied on April 16 to withdraw from the ruling Republican Party of Armenia (RPA) chaired by Armenia’s President Serzh Sargsyan. Shaninyan confirmed the information to Haykakan Zhamanak daily without providing any details on this move.

“There is no reason for this; I just want to quit RPA. I’m currently busy with my wife’s election campaign,” Shaninyan told the daily’s reporter. At the same time, he refuted the rumors that his withdrawal from RPA is stipulated by nomination of his spouse Satik Seyranyan, editor of 168 Hours newspaper who is running in the 4th constituency (in Arabkir) by majority system.

Haykakan Zhamanak reminds that Shaninyan was not included in RPA’s proportional list. When asked by the paper’s reporter whether this fact drove him to quit the party, Shahinyan replied: “Of course, no.” As to the question on his potential membership with another party, ex RPA member said he is currently busy with organizing Satik Seyranyan’s election campaign, and that’s his only party for the moment.

Rumors came on April 16 saying some other RPA members also quitted the party; Shahinyan, however, had no information on this.