I believe he previously ran for president at the last election and polled quite poorly(like 1% poorly IIRC).
Interestingly enough his brother Hashmat Ghani is the leader of the Kuchis and was also a candidate in the 2014 election, but since Hashmat holds US citizenship is unable to run(or so I'm told my peers who have met him).
Hashmat has had a long and interesting relationship with the US and seems like a pretty switched on and politically/economically/tribally savvy(internally and externally) individual.
I get the sense that Ashraf is an academic without influence/control over any tribal groups unless it is by proxy through his brother's control of the Kuchis and a coalition of others.
I'm guessing he is unlikely to poll any higher than single digits and wonder why his brother Hashmat was originally running in opposition to Ashraf.
My understanding of Afghan politics is extremely limited and am happy to defer to those with a better understanding.
It's simply a very lucky coincidence that between my two closest peers and myself working in Afghan on and off the last 1-2 years we've had some direct run ins with a number of the 2014 candidates/players.
I seriously wonder how it's all going to work and hold together when the strongest candidate will probably be lucky to pull 30%(Abdullah Abdullah).
Hopefully a weak federal and strong provincial system will eventually evolve(and be recognized as such) without too much bloodshed.
For the record, I offer my opinion for free....and as such....is probably worth less than what you paid to read it! So caveat emptor
