Govt wants MDP quiet, but party must stay active, says Nasheed
The former president said the MDP had played a central role in political change in the Maldives and remained important to the country's future.
Top Stories
Former President Mohamed Nasheed has said he will not allow the Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) to remain inactive, arguing that a stronger opposition is needed to address the country's challenges.
Nasheed made the remarks during a meeting with supporters in N. Holhudhoo as part of his campaign for the MDP chairperson election scheduled for Friday.
Speaking after arriving on the island, Nasheed claimed that President Mohamed Muizzu and his administration would benefit if the MDP remained inactive and avoided political engagement.
"It would be in the government's interest for the MDP to remain inactive and quiet. However, we cannot allow that to happen," Nasheed said.
The former president said the MDP had played a central role in political change in the Maldives and remained important to the country's future.
According to Nasheed, public support for the party has been visible during his campaign travels across the country.
He said Holhudhoo was the 81st island he had visited during the campaign and that he had met residents in between 1,400 and 1,800 households.
"We can see the hopes of the people and where they want the country to go. Those aspirations can be achieved," he said.
Nasheed also spoke about economic issues, claiming that many households were facing financial pressures due to rising costs and limited access to foreign currency.
He criticised the government's economic management and pointed to changes in the leadership of the Ministry of Finance and Public Enterprises.
Referring to the recent appointment of a new finance minister, Nasheed said the number of ministers appointed to the portfolio under the current administration reflected wider policy challenges.
He also noted that the Maldives had serviced around USD 1 billion in external debt this year while continuing to take on new borrowings.
Nasheed said the country's current direction could not continue unchanged and argued that a stronger MDP was needed to provide an alternative.
He urged party members to support his bid for the chairperson position, saying the party needed to strengthen its organisation and political activity ahead of future elections.
The MDP chairperson election is scheduled to take place on Friday, with Nasheed contesting for the party's top administrative post.
