Former home minister Umar Naseer declared that President Abdulla Yameen Abdul Gayoom is not the founder of ruling Progressive Party of Maldives (PPM).
He made the remark while speaking to Mihaaru, countering the remark made by former deputy leader of PPM, Abdul Raheem.
During the “real” PPM rally held at Alimas Carnival on November 4, Abdul Raheem had said that the founder of PPM is the founder of the People's Alliance (PA) and incumbent President Yameen. He added that Umar Naseer was the one who had most strongly opposed its founding.
Though Umar did not deny Abdul Raheem’s statement, he said that there were several reasons why he had not wanted to form a separate party after leaving Dhivehi Rayyithunge Party (DRP), the former party of PPM leader and former president Maumoon Abdul Gayoom, which had been divided after conflicts rose within the party.
“The main reason I did not want to form a new party was because I did not want PA to use the name of President Maumoon to form and then take over the party later,” said Umar.
The other reason according to Umar was that he had not wanted to make it problematic for the old 38,000 members of DRP. He added that PPM was founded without going through all the necessary procedures to take back the divided DRP.
“Our members will know the real leaders who worked to form the party. Though I was not on the team of Adhurey [Abdu’Raheem], my team and I went to 70 islands all across the country in speed boats and got 8000 members on board while they [Abdu’Rahman] were enjoying playing cards with the islanders, if I heard it right,” said Umar. He added that he was the one to re-organize the grass root which was all impaired.
Furthermore, Umar insisted that he will be able to overtake President Yameen in a free and fair primary.
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