Former President Nasheed speaking during a MDP rally in Usfasgandu. FILE PHOTO
Former President Mohamed Nasheed is set to depart to Raa Atoll Alifushi tonight in preparation for the presidential election next year.
Speaking during his Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) rally last night at Usfasgandu, Nasheed stressed that the party’s efforts must be focused towards getting for early presidential elections. He added that he would stay in the Atoll for two to three days and would try to travel to as many islands of the Atoll as possible during the visit.
"Starting tomorrow, we will only stop once we win the election in 2013, with the result of the poll," Nasheed pledged.
He further said that while the "Direct Action" activities were ongoing, the party must continue its efforts for early elections.
While Nasheed is set to travel to Raa Atoll, the by-election for the vacated seat of the Alifushi constituency for the Atoll Council is scheduled for October 22.
Criticizing the rival parties in the government coalition last night, Nasheed said that the reasons for MDP's victory in the election were quite evident. To that end, he stressed that there was no party in the country that can compete or match MDP.
"PPM (Progressive Party of Maldives) still cannot decide who their presidential candidate would be. If their candidate is indeed former President Maumoon Abdul Gayoom then from which party current President Mohamed Waheed Hassan Manik would contest the election would remain a mystery. We think it would be difficult for him to contest the elections from his own party," Nasheed said.
Nasheed predicted that if Gayoom contests the elections from PPM, due to the grievances of the members who would lose out would lead to conflict within the party.
He further pointed out that there are question marks over who is in power at present which was a government established by MDP back in 2008. He cast doubt over any political decisions that can be made without answering those questions.
"My concern is that Dr Waheed keeps making statements without establishing the facts. MDP does not wish to join the government. We are pointing out various policy issues as we know that the current government cannot be run. We know that the government does not have money to cover its increased expenses. We know that a few military and Police personnel have made the two institutions their own. We know that everything in this country is gradually declining. So it is our view that an election is needed to resolve these issues," he explained.
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