Afghan presidential candidate Abdullah Abdullah has won the backing of a key rival.
The move has led to Abdullah getting the contest's first major coalition.
Zalmai Rassoul, the successor favoured by outgoing President Hamid Karzai, pledged his support for Abdullah, the top candidate from the first round.
According to the BBC, the second and final round, due in mid-June, pits Abdullah against Ashraf Ghani, a former World Bank economist.
Rassoul, a former foreign minister, was no longer in the running for the presidency, after he came third in the first round with just over 11 percent of the vote, the report added.
You’ve reached your limit of {{free_limit}} free articles this month.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
Already subscribed? Log in
Subscribe to read the full story →
Smart Quarterly
₹900
3 Months
₹300/Month
Smart Essential
₹2,700
1 Year
₹225/Month
Super Saver
₹3,900
2 Years
₹162/Month
Renews automatically, cancel anytime
Here’s what’s included in our digital subscription plans
Exclusive premium stories online
Over 30 premium stories daily, handpicked by our editors
Complimentary Access to The New York Times
News, Games, Cooking, Audio, Wirecutter & The Athletic
Business Standard Epaper
Digital replica of our daily newspaper — with options to read, save, and share
Curated Newsletters
Insights on markets, finance, politics, tech, and more delivered to your inbox
Market Analysis & Investment Insights
In-depth market analysis & insights with access to The Smart Investor
Archives
Repository of articles and publications dating back to 1997
Ad-free Reading
Uninterrupted reading experience with no advertisements
Seamless Access Across All Devices
Access Business Standard across devices — mobile, tablet, or PC, via web or app