Yameen quits PPM, announces new party

Former President and President of Progressive Party of Maldives (PPM) has decided to leave the party and form a new party of his own.

Yameen's lawyer Dr Mohamed Jameel Ahmed said on a programme on Channel 13 on Thursday night that this was a difficult decision made by the former President.

"However, I want to confirm to you all that since his election as President, Dr [Mohamed] Muizzu has not responded to any phone calls from President Yameen. PPM Leadership has also moved awat from President Yameen. They no longer deliberate on matters with President Yameen. In their views, they no longer want President Yameen to remain in the party or offer his advice," Jameel said.

"Dr Muizzu and the leadership of PPM have immensely betrayed President Yameen," Jameel alleged.

Pointing out that the parliamentary elections are nearing, Jameel claimed that many Maldivians sought to confirm parliamentary seats to a party that shares Yameen's ideology.

"Yameen has decided to leave PPM based on a lot that has occurred in these recent days. However, Yameen has political foresight. This is why he will establish a party based on his ideology and continue his political work," Jameel stated.

Jameel claimed that it is now evident that Dr Muizzu and PPM leadership had backed Yameen with an ulterior motive. He said that on fulfillment of this motive, they had promptly dropped any pretense of wanting any advice, deliberation or instructions from President Yameen.

"Dr Muizzu has also previously pledged to ensure justice is served for President Yameen. However, today we see President Yameen working all by himself. Today, we can longer see the members of the leadership," Jameel said.

"The hard work that President Yameen undertook even during the presidential elections is evident for all to see. We all worked because Yameen requested us to do so. President Yameen's own family and his wife conducted a lot of work. We even went to different places on his instruction to conduct campaign activities," the lawyer said.

Jameel claims that it was President Yameen who did the most work to end the injustices of the past government. He alleged that the incumbent government had risen to power by misusing and taking advantage of the former president's ideology.

Without specifying names, Jameel alleged that PPM is currently hijacked by certain individuals.