AFP - Campaigning for Iran's presidential election took a dramatic twist on Wednesday when a powerful cleric issued a rare warning to supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, saying his silence over President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad's "lies" could trigger social upheaval.

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Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani, a former president and the head of the Expediency Council -- Iran's top political arbitration body -- protested to Khamenei over Ahmadinejad's remark accusing his family of receiving financial privileges in the past.

Ahmadinejad made the accusation during a stormy debate on state televison with his main rival, the moderate former prime minister Mir Hossein Mousavi.

A furious Rafsanjani fired off a letter to Khamenei, which was published in several newspapers, saying he had personally told Ahmadinejad to take back the remarks.

"I also asked state television to allocate time to defend those accused according to the law... but these suggestions were not accepted and the (supreme) leader chose to remain silent," Rafsanjani wrote.

"Even if I keep quiet, part of the people, groups and parties will undoubtedly not bear this situation any more and set off social upheavals, examples of which can be seen in street rallies and universities."

He said Ahmadinejad's "irresponsible and untruthful remarks" were similiar to the "bitter remarks of monafeghin

Ahmadinejad heckled after campaign meeting

(hypocrites) and anti-revolutionaries during the early years of the Islamic revolution."

Rafsanjani, who was defeated by Ahmadinejad in the 2005 presidential election, urged Khamenei to resolve the spat, the latest example of mudslinging by Iranian leaders that has dogged the election campaign.

"I ask your eminence, given your position, responsibility and personality, to solve this problem and act in a way you deem right to take effective action in eliminating the mutiny," he said.

Such a message to Khamenei is rare in the Islamic republic where the supreme leader is the ultimate authority and has the final say on all strategic issues.

The already tense situation is expected to intensify further after Ahmadinejad said he will speak on state television on Wednesday to counter attacks against him by his rivals.

He said an an election rally in Tehran that he will "elaborate on their manipulation of graphs on television... and will respond to the allegations."

He was referring to series of charts and graphs shown by Mousavi and another challenger Mohsen Rezai during their debates, indicating the weak state of Iranian economy under Ahmadinejad.

Ahmadinejad himself had painted a rosy picture of the economy of OPEC's number two oil exporter with similar graphs during his debate with reformist rival Mehdi Karroubi.

The almost unprecedented televised debates between the candidates have become public platforms for mudslinging, allegations and counter allegations, underscoring deep differences ahead of Friday's election.

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State television said the decision to allow the incumbent to speak is yet to be taken.

But Ahmadinejad's appearance, if allowed, could raise the hackles of his rivals, who will likely be left without any opportunity to counter him before campaigning ends at 8:00 am (0330 GMT) on Thursday.

"In short, it is cheating," Mousavi told reporters.

"I hope it is not true. If it is, then it shows that the state television has bowed to the pressure of the government. Allocating extra time to one candidate violates election laws and rights of other candidates."

Ahmadinejad's appearance would also be perceived as a sign that Khamenei, who appoints the head of state television, is backing the incumbent in the poll.

Rafsanjani's letter generated a mixed response among Iran's clerics.

Around 50 clerics from Qom -- Iran's clerical nerve-centre -- said in an open letter that "accusing people in a session when they are not present is contrary to Sharia", referring to Ahmadinejad's remarks against Rafsanjani which were made in the absence of the cleric.

"In addition to being illegal and contrary to Sharia, it will spread disappointment among the people and make our enemies happy."

But Ayatollah Mohmmad Yazdi, head of the Qom Seminary School Scholars Association, said Rafsanjani's letter "intensifies the tension in the society" and was "against the system and its sacred goals."
 

Post-election turmoil elicits differing analyses Attack and counter-attack on the Web Mirhossein Mousavi, improbable leader of the green wave Timeline: post-election turmoil Ahmadinejad's challengers The candidates' wives speak up Lights turned off on media after election The crucial youth vote Special Report: Iran's unfinished revolution

Post-election turmoil elicits differing analyses Attack and counter-attack on the Web Mirhossein Mousavi, improbable leader of the green wave Timeline: post-election turmoil Ahmadinejad's challengers The candidates' wives speak up Lights turned off on media after election The crucial youth vote Special Report: Iran's unfinished revolution