Former President Mohamed Nasheed stated last night that all infrastructural development in Addu was brought about by Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP). 

Speaking at the rally held last night to conclude campaigns for North Hithadhoo by-election candidate Abdulla Sodiq (Soabe'), Nasheed said that no one besides the MDP administrations had done anything for the development of Addu. Besides infrastructural development, it was MDP that brought social protection to the atoll as well, he said. 

He reaffirmed that it was MDP administrations that had introduced allowances for single parents, persons with disabilities, elderly persons and orphans. Besides these, no additional social protection schemes have been brought to the country, he said. 

"No other party has played any role in the infrastructural development of Addu City. It is solely MDP's," Nasheed asserted. 

Nasheed said that trying to convince Addu people to vote for MDP candidate Sodhiq is akin to "selling dates in Basrah", a local idiom meaning trying to convince a people of something they are already experts in. He credited Sodhiq with being one of the main reasons why MDP had gained popularity in the city with the second largest population. 

Nasheed recalled his arrest on 'Black Friday', August 12, 2005, during the administration of former President Maumoon Abdul Gayoom. Sodhiq himself was arrested the next day, Nasheed said, following which several people were taken from Addu and imprisoned. 

This, Nasheed said, was the day MDP had evolved, adding Sodhiq had played a key role in this. 

Speaking of the present circumstances, Nasheed described Maldives as going adrift and falling into a debt trap. This calls for someone who is aware of global affairs to be elected to parliament, Nasheed said. 

Nasheed said that the city must elect MPs who grasp the country's realities and know how to serve Addu, arguing that such leadership is essential as the world changes. He maintained that Sodhiq is the only candidate with these qualities.