Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) President Mohamed Nasheed held a meeting with Jumhooree Party (JP) Leader and Maamigili MP Qasim Ibrahim’s representative and advisor Ilham Ahmed on Monday.
The meeting, which was also attended by MDP Vice-President Mohamed Shifaz, former Chairman of the party West Henveiru MP Hassan Latheef and Hulhudhoo MP Ilyas Labeeb, did not disclose any details to the media.
However, there are rumors that Nasheed may nominate Gasim as a presidential candidate for the upcoming election and select him as his running mate. During yesterday's parliamentary session, MP Hassan Latheef raised a similar question, asking how it would be to elect a candidate and running mate from a party other than the MDP for the presidential election on September 9.
Latheef emphasized the importance of the party coming to power with a share of more than 40 percent and forming a government that would uphold the policies and principles of MDP, regardless of who the candidate or running mate is.
Previously, President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih and Nasheed had sent their representatives to meet with Qasim, seeking his support for the presidential election. However, the decision of Qasim or JP will be determined at the party's council meeting.
Last weekend, JP passed a resolution calling for the party to contest this year's presidential election or to form a coalition led by the party. The implementation of the resolution will depend on the council's decision. This meeting between Nasheed and Ahmed, along with Latheef's statement, suggests that negotiations between the MDP and JP are ongoing, and the possibility of a coalition cannot be ruled out.
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