Thursday
19th Dec 2024
Dhivehi Edition
President Nasheed. Photo: TMJ
Mohamed Nasheed, Speaker of the Parliament, sparked a debate last evening when he suggested that opposition Progressive Congress coalition leader and presidential candidate, Abdulla Yameen Abdul Gayoom, should not be incarcerated. Speaking at a meeting to form The Democrats, a party led by lawmakers who support him, Nasheed praised Yameen for his distinguished career serving the nation.
In an unexpected turn, Nasheed declared his stance against the imprisonment of Maldivian political leaders. His call for unity underlines his concern over the state of politics in the Maldives and the growing dissatisfaction amongst the populace.
He cited unverified opinion polls suggesting that Yameen could potentially secure 18% of the votes in the upcoming elections. While the Maldives does not have official opinion polls, social media sentiments appear to show a groundswell of support for President Yameen and mounting disapproval for the current government.
In a surprising proposition, Nasheed called on Yameen to withdraw his name from the presidential elections and join him in a collective effort to topple President Solih. This plea marks a radical departure from traditional political rivalries, signaling Nasheed's willingness to set aside past differences for what he perceives as the nation's greater good.
However, his remarks have been met with sharp criticism from the opposition leaders. They quickly retorted that the Progressive Party of Maldives (PPM) stands behind their candidate, Yameen, and if The Democrats truly wish to unseat President Solih, they should consider backing Yameen in the election.