Adhaalath to go for talks to continue MDP alliance

Religious conservative Adhaalath Party has decided to go for talks with MDP to form an alliance in support of President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih in the upcoming presidential elections. 

An emergency meeting of the Consultative Council was held at the party's office Monday evening following a letter written by MDP's presidential candidate, President Solih to coalition partners to stay together in this year's presidential election as well. 

President Solih, who was officially given the party's presidential ticket on Friday night, has been authorised by the party's National Assembly to form alliances. The national assembly passed the measure on Wednesday night. With this, the president has initiated talks to form an alliance.

He has now written a letter to senior leaders of the three parties in the ruling coalition with MDP, inviting them to come together in the presidential elections. 

In a brief statement issued after the meeting, Adhaalath said that the decision to go for talks with MDP was based on the letter sent by the President.

"Considering the experience of the interim government compared to the previous regimes, we will hold discussions with the Adhaalath Party before extending support to MDP’s presidential candidate...," Adhaalath said in the statement.

Home Minister Imran Abdulla's party was a key ally of President Solih in the 2018 presidential elections that defeated former president Abdulla Yameen Abdul Gayoom. In addition to the party, the coalition also includes businessman Gasim Ibrahim's Jumhooree Party and former president Maumoon Abdul Gayoom's MRM.

However, the two parties are yet to decide on a final course of action in the presidential elections.

Adhaalath was with JP in the 2008 and 2013 presidential elections. However, when the 2018 elections came, Gasim could not contest because of his jail term and being jailed and being sent out of the country. 

A decision on whether JP will contest this year's elections will be taken at the National Assembly on February 24 - 25. Therefore, the possibility of him coming out for the third time is still open.

Adhaalath's statement referred to "compared to the previous terms" because of what happened to the party during the tenure of former president Mohamed Nasheed and Yameen. Adhaalath formed an alliance with both the governments. However, the alliances fell apart. On the contrary, President Solih continues to maintain the coalition.