Disagreements within the Yelk opposition alliance appear to have deepened yesterday as two of its top leaders publicly traded verbal jousts over how to fight President Serge Sarkisian.

The bitter exchange took place when one of them, Nikol Pashinian, said he continued to prepare for a series of demonstrations in Yerevan aimed at forcing Sarkisian not to extend his ten-year power. Pashinian and a group of activists from his Civil Contract party began visiting the northern and central regions of Armenia on foot at this end on Saturday.

The other two parties, Yelk, Luminous Armenia and Republic, refused to join the campaign, saying the anti-Sarkisian protests will not attract large crowds. The leader of Bright Armenia, Edmon Marukian, criticized Pachinian’s tactics in an opinion piece posted on Aravot.am.

In particular, Marukian said his opposition ally is looking for “short-term glory” and follows a “path taken by the defunct political forces” that failed to gain regime change in the country. “It is imprudent to do the same thing every time and expect to get a different result,” he wrote.

Pashinian fought back as he and his relatives crossed the northern province of Lori in heavy rain. “The path laid out in Mr. Marukian’s article has been trampled many times, including by the Armenian Revolutionary Federation and Orinats Yerkir Party,” he said, referring to parties that have worked closely with Sarkisian during his reign.

“I am convinced that my actions reflect the will of the overwhelming majority of Yelk voters,” insisted Pashinian. He argued that Yelk’s management has unanimously voted against Sarkisian’s “third term”.

The head of the Civil Contract is expected to complete his 200-kilometer walk in time for his first anti-government rally in Yerevan scheduled for 13 April. His party plans to gather supporters of Freedom Square for at least four consecutive days.

The Armenian Parliament dominated by Sarkisian supporters is expected to elect a new prime minister on April 17. The outgoing president, whose second term expires on April 9, is expected to occupy what will now be the highest executive position in the country.

Yelk finished third in last year’s general election, winning 9 seats in the 105-seat National Assembly.