Dr. Muizzu’s pledges are ongoing projects: Mariya

Minister of Defense Mariya Ahmed Didi has criticized Progressive Party of Maldives (PPM) and People’s National Congress (PNC) candidate Dr. Mohamed Muizzu.

According to the minister, the PPM/PNC coalition's candidate was putting forth promises for initiatives that are already being implemented under President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih's administration.

"Every time, [he] pledges for things that are already in progress, which we haven't actually publicized. But those projects are already underway," Mariya said.

Mariya said the current government has been carrying out all the projects required by the people nationwide because of which Solih’s opponents do not have “any new pledges to make.”

“Just look… [Muizzu] pledged to develop an airport in Muli but that project is already ongoing on the island,” Mariya said.

The minister said that the Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) listened to the public's concerns before formulating the manifesto. She further added that the MDP-led government was implementing all the components promised in the manifesto.

Mariya also criticized the coalition by pointing out the circumstances that led to Dr. Muizzu securing his presidential ticket from PNC. She asserted that the party lacked vision and a progressive manifesto.

"With only one day left for the presidential election nomination, he [Dr. Muizzu] resigned from his Deputy Leader position in PPM and joined PNC. The way this unfolded is evidence that the party lacked a clear manifesto or vision," Mariya said.

The minister also said that she does not believe Dr. Muizzu had visited the atolls as Malé City Mayor, which prompted him to immediately launch his campaign visits once his presidential ticket from PNC was guaranteed.

She also criticized Dr. Muizzu for his statements, claiming that while the PPM/PNC coalition's candidate spoke of the importance of smaller islands during his visits to them, his narrative changed when he visited larger islands. The minister alleged that Dr. Muizzu was not fully aware of the statements he was making during the campaign, which the public was listening to attentively.

Mariya further highlighted unfulfilled pledges of the PPM-led administrations from 2013 to 2018.