"Govt should be ashamed to call for all-party talks"

Jumhoory Party (JP)’s leader Qasim Ibrahim proclaimed that the government should be ashamed to call political parties back for all-party talks again.

He made the remark while speaking at the opposition rally held at JP’S main hub at Kunooz house in Maafannu ward in capital Male.

Declaring that the government has never shown loyalty towards party talks, Qasim slammed the administration saying that calling for all-party talks again is just another “show-off”.

Stating that the government has never tried to negotiate with the opposition, he added that no demands made by opposition parties were ever accepted during previous attempts at party talks.

Further criticizing the government, Qasim added that all rival political leaders are imprisoned, questioning how the talks are expected to take place in such a situation.

“Faris is being dragged to Police. Nasheed has been charged with another case and Imran Abdulla is still under arrest,” said Qasim, referring respectively to Former President Maumoon Abdul Gayoom's lawmaker son, Former President Mohamed Nasheed who is facing his second terrorism charge, and the leader of religiously conservative Adhaalath Party convicted of inciting violence during a major opposition rally.

The government made the announcement inviting political parties to talks on March 30, proclaiming that the state is geared up to conduct discussions again and that it has no hesitation in negotiating with the opposition.

Many claim that the government popped up the all-party discussions topic due to the strong reform movement spearheaded by the opposition coalition.

Qasim heavily slated the government as he said that President Abdulla Yameen Abdul Gayoom is incapable of anything but arresting political leaders. He went on to say that the president does not have the patience and guts to deal with the opposition and, therefore, President Yameen does not understand democracy.

He reiterated that the opposition would not fall back despite the threats made by the government. He added that while the government has frozen the bank accounts of his Villa company, the state still owes money to the same companies as well.