Ruling Progressive Party of Maldives’ (PPM) deputy leader Fonadhoo MP Abdul Raheem Abdullah has criticised the opposition again on its continued delay in announcing a presidential candidate.
During Monday night’s press conference, MP Abdul Raheem alleged that the opposition is not as united as they appear and highlighted again how it has not been able to present a presidential candidate yet.
All opposition leaders in the coalition are vying for presidency and there are many differences between them, he claimed.
“Apparently, within MDP, MP Ibrahim Solih, former parliament speaker Abdullah Shahid, and even MP Ahmed Mahloof want the party ticket for presidency. And from Jumhoory Party, former home minister Umar Naseer, former police commissioner Abdullah Riyaz, and MP Faris Maumoon want the [presidential] ticket. On top of that, [they] were prepping the party’s leader Qasim Ibrahim’s son Siyaq Qasim as a presidential candidate too,” MP Abdul Raheem said.
Meanwhile, the joint opposition, which includes Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP), Jumhoory Party, religiously conservative Adhaalath Party and even former president Maumoon Abdul Gayyoom and his loyalists, had assured that it would come to a civil agreement on the matter of a presidential candidate.
Despite the opposition parties working together and engaging in discussions, each party favours its leader as the potential presidential candidate.
While MDP favours former President Mohamed Nasheed and Jumhoory Party wants Qasim Ibrahim to run for presidency in the election that is slated toward the end of the year, neither of them can legally compete in the election.
Qasim is over the age of 65, which Constitutionally bars him from competing in the election, while Nasheed has a criminal conviction that exceeds three-years, which also prevents him from running.
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