Nasheed in talks to become Gasim's running mate: sources

Discussions have begun to appoint MDP president Mohamed Nasheed, who faced defeat in the January 28 presidential primary of the main ruling party, as Jumhoory Party (JP) leader Gasim Ibrahim’s running mate in the upcoming presidential elections, reliable sources close to Nasheed and JP confirmed to Atoll Times on Tuesday.

JP is yet to decide on contesting the September 9 presidential election. However, Gasim and Nasheed have already begun discussions on contesting the election as a pair. In addition to this, at the JP national conference held last weekend, Gasim had praised Nasheed profusely.

Reliable sources confirmed to Atoll Times that Nasheed is trying to get Gasim out to the presidential election with his support. There have been a number of recent developments that reinforce this.

"Nasheed has been pushing Gasim to contest the presidential election. We are in talks to make Nasheed the running mate of Gasim," a reliable source familiar with the development told Atoll Times.

Nasheed's representatives met Gasim at his Sun Island Resort last week. It was also discussed in the meeting that Gasim should enter the presidential race with Nasheed's support.

Nasheed also attended the opening and closing ceremony of the Jumhooree Party's national conference held last weekend. Gasim received an invitation from MDP’s presidential candidate, President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih, to form an alliance for the upcoming presidential elections. 

Meanwhile, Henveiru South MP Hussain Shaheem, who belongs to President Solih's faction, alleged during Tuesday's parliament sitting that Nasheed was trying to wrest power for the Jumhooree Party.

"Nasheed is trying to show that it is the right thing for MDP," he said.

When Shaheem made the allegation, Nasheed responded to the comments. Nasheed, however, did not deny the allegation. Nasheed spoke in support of the move.

"I'm sure I don't have to mention to the honourable MP [Hussain Shaheem], that at the moment, MDP has got only 40% of the government [in the existing coalition]. If it gets more than that, it can be expected to be a good thing for the party," he said.

Hussain Shaheem's accusation was further reinforced by the statements made by Hassan Latheef, MP from Henveiru West constituency, who belonged to Nasheed's faction, and who spoke after Shaheem. Hassan feels that his party is in danger of losing power by running with president Solih in the elections. 

"What if a member of another party is a candidate for the president's post, with a running mate of MDP and a MDP government is formed and we can have a government that shares with us, we can have a government that can discuss and advise us and serve the people best," said Hassan Latheef, who is also a former chairperson of MDP.

After the debate broke out, Gasim's advisor and Jumhooree Party council member Ilham Ahmed met Nasheed at the parliament secretariat on Tuesday. The meeting was also attended by several senior members of the Nasheed faction.

What was said at the meeting has not been made public by any side.

Ilham told Atoll Times that he could not disclose what was discused at the meeting.

"It was just a courtesy call, a courtesy call made to the Speaker of the Majlis," said Ilham, who had previously served two terms in parliament.

Asked if there was any discussion to make Nasheed his running mate, Ilham said he was "not aware" of it.

Regarding the meeting, MDP MP from Maradhoo Constituency Ibrahim Shareef (Mavota), who belongs to President Solih's faction, tweeted that it was held to discuss Nasheed's ‘Fikuregge Dhirun’ movement and forge an alliance with Gasim.

Nasheed came to power in the first presidential election held in 2008 under the new constitution with the help of Gasim. It was part of a coalition that included Gasim's party. 

However, it was not long before the party's first term in office and the alliance fell apart. He was home minister in Nasheed's cabinet at the time and resigned from the post. It would not have been even 100 days into that regime.