VP absent from party conference; JP says invited

Faisal Naseem, who became the vice-president of the current government in a slot of Jumhooree Party (JP), was invited to the party's national assembly, but his absence was not known, the party said Friday.

JP's national congress began in Dharubaaruge on Friday. Faisal did not attend the opening ceremony of the conference.

There were media reports that Faisal did not attend the ceremony as the Jumhooree Party did not invite him officially. However, the party denies this.

"That's a lie. Faisal Naseem is a council member of this party. Council members will be invited. Faisal will also be formally invited," Jumhooree Party secretary general and former MP from Kelaa constituency Ali Arif told Atoll Times Friday evening.

When asked about the reasons for the vice president not turning up, he said, "I don't know and only Faisal will know about it."

Faisal did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Faisal, the longest-serving vice president under the current constitution, backs MDP’s presidential candidate, President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih. He has been disclosing this on various platforms. In the recent past, the Jumhooree Party has expressed its displeasure over the move.