Siyam, Gasim in talks on potential alliance for pres polls: MDA

Maldives Development Alliance (MDA) President Ahmed Siyam and Jumhooree Party (JP) leader Qasim Ibrahim are in talks regarding the upcoming presidential elections, MDA said Thursday.

Party Vice-President Ali Mauroof revealed that Siyam and Gasim, who are also known as two prominent businessmen in the Maldives, were discussing the presidential election.

"Let me take this opportunity to inform you that JP has also shown interest in us. Let me tell you about the president [Siyam] and the JP leader being in touch," Maurouf said.

He said though JP did not propose an alliance in an official form, the two were talking about the elections because of their "friendship".

"In their friendship and proximity, there is no direct proposal from JP. However, there is talk."

Both Gasim and Siyam want to find a way to maintain peace in the country so that tourism can be "stable", said Mauroof. When forming an alliance, both of them will keep in mind the national interest, he said.

Mauroof said that the MDA National Council decided to go ahead with an alliance with another party in the elections because Siyam decided not to contest the elections. The party also met with representatives of MDP candidate, President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih, regarding the elections, and Mauroof said that the two parties had submitted their demands in the meeting and discussions would still continue. He also informed that more meetings would be held with PPM and MDP before the council meeting on Friday.