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"It is done; I am ready": A review of President Solih's speech

Malika Shahid
21 January 2023, MVT 19:02
MDP members gathered at the rally of President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih -- Photo: Fayaaz Moosa
Malika Shahid
21 January 2023, MVT 19:02

The Artificial Beach area last night showed the victory of the party's presidential primary to be held on January 28, President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih said.

After his campaign tours in various islands of Maldives, the President held a rally at the Artificial Beach area of Malé. The area was crowded with Maldives Democratic Party (MDP) members.

Referring to the number of party members in attendance, the President said MDP has made it clear tonight what it wants in the presidential primary, which is for it to end with his victory.

The President said he is confident of winning the primary by a large margin against the party's president, Mohamed Nasheed, who has worked with him in many political activities.

"There is no doubt, absolutely no doubt, it [primary elections] has been decided here tonight," the President said with enthusiasm. "It is done, it is done," he said indicating to the numerous projects initiated by his government, as well as winning the election.

President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih speaking at his campaign rally for the upcoming MDP primary election, at the Artificial Beach in Malé -- Photo: Fayaaz Moosa

The President began to say that the primary vote is "finished" as Nasheed had criticised him saying that projects during his term are delayed and not completed.

He detailed many projects that have been started and completed during his term. The President said that Nasheed cannot criticise him because he has delivered so many projects to the people during these four years that no previous government had brought them.

Summary of the President's speech

- From any government, the most number projects took place during this term

- No government has implemented this number of projects

- This primary is an important opportunity for MDP and the whole nation

- Asked the members to ensure that the ballot they cast holds the best interest of the country

- MDP is ready for a second term

- Projects will be accelerated and the entire country will experience significant change

- Atoll development will be completed which will relieve the burden on Malé city

The President said that this government is fulfilling everything it promised. He gave examples of projects completed by the current administration so far.

President Solih has said that the people of Malé will be given land during his term. “I will hand over the keys to the flats to Malé residents, after completing works from foundation to finishing” he said. The flats will be different and the President asked the people to experience it for themselves.

MDP members gathered at President Solih's campaign rally: The largest rally held by MDP in recent times -- Photo: Fayaaz Moosa

"Yameen is not OK"

The President had expressed his dissatisfaction withNasheed's remarks praising former President Abdulla Yameen during the MDP primary campaign.

He said there were certain things that should not be done for the sake of democracy

People who made you suffer; who threatened you; the people who were behind these actions in the past—I am not okay with them. There is no work we can do together politically.

In response to Nasheed's praise of Yameen's government over the four year term of the current administration, the President recalled the atrocious situation in which the people of Maldives were under Yameen's rule. The President said he would not forget the extent of that injustice.

The President said he would not let that situation come back to Maldives.

The President responded by saying while Nasheed is speaking in favor of Yameen, that it was not the fault of party members that the first MDP government fell and they had to take to the streets against all other political parties in the country.

President Solih with his supporters at the campaign rally held in Artificial Beach area -- Photo: Fayaaz Moosa

MDP members, the President said, have experienced the most terrible injustice. He said he did not want to go back to the past and the MDP members were ready to move forward with him.

The President concluded his speech by repeating his campaign slogan “MDP Kuriah” which translates to onward with MDP.

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