Sameer quits party after JP's entry into presidential race

Minister at the President's Office Ahmed Sameer, who led the formation of Jumhooree Party (JP), has decided to quit the party after it decided to contest this year's presidential election separately.

At the JP council meeting held at its headquarters, M. Kunooz, Tuesday evening:

After JP took the decision, Sameer announced his decision to resign from the party during the council meeting. The decision was taken after what he said at the council meeting:

"My spirit believes that in lieu of where i stand, it is best if i resign from this party. So, with utmost respect, I request the party leader to accept this and give me the opportunity," said Sameer, who also served as party secretary general for six years.

Sameer, who was one of the first signatories of the Jumhooree Party when it was formed in 2008, said JP was the party he had rendered the most service to so far.

"I hope, by God's grace, you will all work in good faith and in the right direction. It is with deep sadness that I wish this party and its leader success," said Sameer, who was also a member of parliament from Dhidhoo constituency.

"This is a party I love as is the leader of this party. With the efforts of all of you, do try to bring [Gasim] to the post of President of the country. I also want him to become the president of the country."

JP's decision to contest the presidential election was approved by the council, and the party's national conference held last month approved the recommendation to the council.

Sameer was the only person to speak out against the decision in the meeting. However, the decision was passed including Sameer's vote.

After the council meeting, he told Atoll  Times about his political future and that he has no plans to join any other party at the moment.

"All the goals are to elect President Solih for a second term," he said.

When asked if he would join MDP in the near future, Sameer said he would follow what President Solih had consulted with him.

"I don't think belonging to a party is an obstacle to working with him [With President Solih]... But I'll stay that way when the president decides what I should be doing. I am with president Solih on my promise," said Sameer, who has previously served as a member of MDP.

After quitting MDP, Sameer signed up with JP for the second time after the 2014 parliamentary elections. Sameer said that even if his "heart wishes" for Gasim to come to power, it is far from happening the way things work in politics.

"On the day when the leader of this party was jailed and suffered the worst, I took the party and worked a lot for its stability. However, those days are past now. [I am] someone who wishes to see Gasim come to power. But I don't see it happening," Sameer said.