No one will be sidelined under my leadership, says Meekail
Meekail made the remarks while responding to comments by his opponent, former President Mohamed Nasheed, in the MDP chairperson race.
South Galolhu MP Meekail Ahmed Naseem has said he will not sideline any member of the Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) if elected as the party’s chairperson, stressing that all members should have a role in the party regardless of which candidate they support in the upcoming election.
Meekail made the remarks while responding to comments by his opponent, former President Mohamed Nasheed, in the MDP chairperson race.
In a message shared in the MDP National Council WhatsApp group, Nasheed said he hoped those who lose the election would remain “a bit further away, yet behind” in party affairs, adding that those who win should remain at the forefront.
Speaking in the fourth episode of his campaign interview series Ithubaaru Salla (Trust Dialogue), released on social media on Saturday, Meekail said he disagreed with the idea that members should be pushed aside because of their position in an internal party contest.
“I do not accept even to the slightest degree that people who choose a particular side in an internal election should be sidelined once the election is over. Nor do I believe they should be pushed to the back row,” Meekail said.
He noted that many of those supporting his campaign had remained active within the party following the 2023 presidential election and had worked to maintain party activities over the past three years.
According to Meekail, these members played a key role in sustaining the party during a period when some members had left the MDP.
“Therefore, if I do not win this election, or if my opponent wins, I do not believe they should have to go to the very back,” he said.
Meekail also pledged that members who do not support his candidacy would not be marginalised if he is elected chairperson.
“And after I win this election, I will not sideline or push away those who did not stand with me,” he said.
He argued that the MDP could not grow by excluding members or limiting participation within the party.
The South Galolhu MP is contesting the chairperson election with the backing of former President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih and a majority of MDP parliamentary group members.
Following concerns raised by some party members over his initial comments, Nasheed later clarified that he did not want any member to leave the MDP. He said his objective was to expand the party’s membership to 100,000.
The MDP chairperson election is scheduled to take place next month.
