MDP leaders clash over causes of election defeats
Fayyaz stepped down from his post, stating that his attempts to resolve internal division failed.
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Former President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih and MDP Chairman Fayyaz Ismail, who resigned on Sunday, have engaged in a heated exchange over the party’s dispute on the outcome of the last presidential election.
Fayyaz stepped down from his post, stating that his attempts to resolve internal division failed because the party’s leadership, including advisor Solih, did not support the effort.
The discussion began when former President Mohamed Nasheed commented in the party’s WhatsApp group, saying Fayyaz’s resignation letter clarified how the MDP lost the 2023 presidential and 2024 parliamentary elections.
Nasheed said he had made two attempts to give Solih space in the previous presidential race by stepping aside. “They believed they could win the election without us, and the result was lost,” Nasheed wrote.
He added that the 2028 election could be won if both Solih and Fayyaz do not contest and allow another candidate to run. “I repeat. It would be best for the MDP and Maldives not to contest the 2028 presidential election. We should all support one candidate,” he said.
Hours later, Solih responded in the group, stating that the last presidential election had already been discussed and that only part of it had been mentioned. “I will not share all details in the interest of the group. This is a time for everyone to come together and move forward,” he said.
Fayyaz replied that Solih’s comment added further complications. “If you were referring to what I had spoken about, it is better in politics to say, ‘One among the thieves’. If you meant something else, then that may be so,” he said.
Nasheed later praised Fayyaz for addressing the internal split in his resignation remarks. However, the exchanges led to visible tension between Nasheed and Solih.
The WhatsApp group, which includes current and former MDP members, has seen similar heated debates in the past, including in 2021 while the party was in government.
The latest debate escalated after Nasheed wrote further messages addressing Fayyaz. “President Solih will face consequences for trying to conceal Fayyaz,” Nasheed said.
Fayyaz’s reply prompted further verbal exchanges, with members inviting each other to take the debate to the public.
