Progressive Party of Maldives (PPM) and People’s National Congress (PNC) declared on Tuesday that the leader of Jumhooree Party (JP) and Speaker of Parliament, Qasim Ibrahim, was the best fit for president considering the current political situation of Maldives.
The Vice President of PNC, Abdul Raheem Abdulla, spoke highly of Qasim in a news conference held by PPM and PNC, following the arrest of former President Abdulla Yameen Abdul Gayoom on money laundering charges.
“A government of national unity should be formed. We will support honourable Qasim Ibrahim as the President of said government. Qasim Ibrahim should be the President of Maldives and set this country on the right path”, Abdul Raheem, who is also the MP of Fonadhoo constituency, said.
When questioned about offensive statements previously made by Abdul Raheem and other top party members, the VP of PNC stated that those days were in the past.
Additionally, when questioned about Abdul Raheem’s previous accusations that Qasim was influencing the Maldivian judiciary, he insisted that the statements were made based on information acquired at the time.
“We don’t have any evidence that Qasim Ibrahim is influencing the decisions of any courts today”, Abdul Raheem said.
Moreover, when a reporter questioned the reason for trusting Qasim when he had supported Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) to come into power twice, Abdul Raheem defended Qasim stating that the JP leader has always withdrawn himself from any government that was not working in the best interest of the country.
In addition to Abdul Raheem, PPM’s Parliamentary Group leader and MP of Villimale’ constituency, Ahmed Nihan, also spoke highly of Qasim.
While PPM and PNC are currently speaking in favour of Qasim, there have been rumours of JP and PPM conceding some constituencies to each other, in order to compete collaboratively in the upcoming parliamentary elections. Moreover, Qasim has expressed his objection to MDP or any other party being elected as the supermajority holder of parliament.
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