President Solih Meets With Indian Billionnaire Lakshmi Mittal, Asks For Campaign Funds

President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih has met with Indian billionnaire Lakshmi Mittal.

President Solih was accompanied by other officials of the administration during the meeting. According to sources who spoke with The Maldives Journal, President Solih had requested Mittal for the funds needed to pay for the MDP’s campaign for re-election. Mittal had also mentioned several things he wanted in return, as well.

The Presidential spokesman Mabrouq Aziz had declined to respond to our questions regarding this meeting.

Mittal had met with Majlis Speaker Mohamed Nasheed during the weekend. He was accompanied by Aminath Shauna, the Environment Minister. Funding for the campaign was the primary topic of discussion.

When The Maldives Journal had asked Majlis Speaker Nasheed about the objective of the meeting, he had responded that Mittal was a friend of his.

Mittal is the Executive Chairman of the world’s largest steel manufacturer, ArcelorMittal of which he owns 38%; he is also the chairman of Aperam, a stainless steel manufacturer of which he owns 20%. Forbes estimates his net worth at USD$14.9 billion.