YEREVAN—Armenian Revolutionary Federation Bureau member and head of the party’s political affairs Armen Rustamian criticized newly-appointed Prime Minister Karen Karapetyan for comments he made on Thursday regarding Armenia’s Economy Minister and ARF member Artsvik Minasyan during the first session of the cabinet that he chaired.

Karapetyan initiated a tense verbal exchange with Minasyan on Sept. 15, when he questioned Minsayan’s request to grant a tax incentive to a private firm that had lodged a corresponding application with the Economy Ministry, during a cabinet meeting.

After further explanation by Minasyan, Karapetyan blunty said, “I don’t believe it.”

Rustamian publicly criticized Karapetian’s comments the following day and voiced his party’s full support for Minasyan. “We should refrain from steps corresponding to the logic of shows or creating impressions, which can be very short-lived,” said Rustamian during a press conference, adding, “it’s not a place where the prime minister has to believe or not believe.”

Rustamian went on to say that the ARF trusts Minasyan since he knows his field well. “And if the prime minister doesn’t believe that he knows, let him become convinced. If I were him, I would avoid using such words,” Rustamian added.

Minasyan and all other ministers tendered their resignations immediately after outgoing Prime Minister Hovik Abrahamian stepped on Sept. 8, though they will continue to perform their duties until Karapetyan forms his new cabinet.

Minasyan and the two other cabinet members, Territorial Administration Minister Davit Lokian and Education Minister Levon Mkrtchian, are members of the ARF.