Opposition trying to disrupt primaries: President
President Solih arrived in AA. Maalhos Tuesday morning in heavy rain.
By
Ahmed Mizyal
President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih said on Tuesday that opposition parties will only have the opportunity to contest the upcoming presidential elections by defeating MDP and that foul play in the MDP primaries is afoot.
President Solih arrived in AA. Maalhos Tuesday morning in heavy rain. Though it was raining heavily, a large number of supporters were in the port area, with umbrellas, to greet him.
Addressing MDP members from the island of Maalhos, the President said that with four days left for the campaign to end, the influence of other parties is visible in this primary. His remarks were aimed at the activities being carried out by the opposition PPM ahead of the primaries.
"It is an internal primary, but other colours have been involved. You have to think about it, what the point is. In some islands, this is already visible," he said.
Thulhaadhoo MP Hisaan Hussain arrived in Thulhaadhoo on Sunday to campaign for President Solih, where activists led by opposition parties led a protest against Hisaan. The opposition has also been staging demonstrations in the islands ahead of President Solih's campaign tours to the islands.
President Solih's faction has alleged that the campaign team of MDP President Mohamed Nasheed, who is contesting against President Solih in this primary, is encouraging the opposition's activities.
They have the slightest chance at winning the upcoming presidential elections by getting involved in it [MDP Primary]. That’s why they’ve come out today.
President Solih said that it is important to know why other parties are interfering in this primary.
"Clearly, they know MDP will remain in power, so they are doing what they can to prevent it," he said.
"They have the slightest chance at winning the upcoming presidential elections by getting involved in it [MDP Primary]. That’s why they’ve come out today."
President Solih said MDP is setting a perfect example of democracy and its primaries will always be competitive.
"This primary will also serve as a role model for the country, for the rest of the political parties. This is an attempt to get into it and mess it up in such a way that there is an opportunity to contest the upcoming elections," he said.
He said he was confident of winning the primary and would win the presidential election easily after that.
