Shahid reminds Waheed of his conduct during heated rally

MDP President Abdulla Shahid sent a letter yesterday to Deputy Chair Ibrahim Waheed stating that since next year's Local Council Election is just around the corner, no action is to be conducted that may put their internal stakeholders in danger.

Shahid sent the letter as MDP's internal stakeholder status is currently in jeopardy, due to Fayyaz Ismail resigning from the position of Chairperson on 23rd November, with work subsequently being done to appoint an interim Chairperson.

Ibrahim Waheed has been appointed as interim Chairperson in order to be responsible for day-to-day MDP operations, with Shahid's letter to him appealing for any opportunity for actions to endanger their internal stakeholders to not arise.

The letter went on to remind Ibrahim Waheed of what had happened during Friday night's MDP National Council, which was held to determine an interim Chairperson. Shahid highlighted the events that transpired when his name was put up to be passed as the interim Chairperson, with the differences in opinion that formed upon the request to vote bringing the voting process to a halt. Ibrahim Waheed announced that the halt was requested by the MDP leadership, stated Shahid.

And so, Shahid requested Ibrahim Waheed that once MDP's National Council's operational arrangements are complete, to bring about a practical character.

In the letter to Ibrahim Waheed, Shahid stated that once the first vote had concluded in the rally, Ibrahim Waheed had announced that there were 96 members who were eligible voters at the time. Shahid also highlighted that the announcement had stated that there were 95 members who were eligible voters without including the presiding member.

After the numbers had been announced, Shahid said that Ibrahim Waheed had stated Abdulla Waheed had received 47 votes for the position of interim Chairperson, with his name being passed.

"However, as some members protested that half of 95 is not 47, the leadership did calculations and announced that Abdulla Waheed's name did not pass. Due to the MDP leadership acting in two different ways, it is clear that the rally that night had an error in its system, spiraling into disarray," said Shahid.

"The leadership also announced that due to the rally proceeding becoming chaotic, they had to bring the rally to an end."

In the letter, Shahid reminded Ibrahim Waheed that there are audio and video recordings of the entire rally. Shahid also said that everything had occurred "in everyone's presence".

Abdulla Waheed, who had run for interim Chairperson, had sent Deputy Chair Ibrahim Waheed a letter stating that he had won the vote. Nevertheless, Abdulla Waheed stated that he rescinded his candidacy due to the obstacles set by MDP advisor and former President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih (Ibu), MDP President Shahid and Parliamentary group members.

Deputy Chair Ibrahim Waheed and Abdulla Waheed were previously in former President Mohamed Nasheed's faction. Former Chairperson Fayyaz was also a part of that team.

Former President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih's faction worked to submit former Hithadhoo constituency MP Mohamed Aslam's and Hanimaadhoo constituency MP Abdul Gafoor Moosa's (Gapo) names as candidates for the position of interim Chairperson at Friday night's MDP National Council rally. 

However, as Aslam is not a member of the MDP National Council, questions had risen as to whether he could fulfil the role of interim Chairperson, leading to him not being able to move forward. The rally was brought to a halt during Abdulla Waheed's vote.

MDP's internal conflict has not died down since.