JP's Gasim invites disgraced ex-VP Adeeb for coalition talks
Adheeb is currently under house arrest despite being sentenced to 20 years in prison for his role in the MMPRC scandal.
By
Fathmath Ahmed Shareef
Jumhooree Party (JP) leader Gasim Ibrahim on Wednesday sent an invitation to the Maldives Third Way Democrats (MTD), headed by former Vice President Ahmed Adeeb who is serving a lengthy sentence for being the mastermind being the MMPRC scandal, to hold talks for the upcoming presidential elections.
A letter was sent to MTD on Wednesday signed by JP's presidential candidate Gasim.
In the letter, Gasim said he wanted to hold talks with the MTD to facilitate reforms in the country in a manner that is inclusive of all political views.
Gasim has requested that the names of MTD members who will participate in the talks with JP be forwarded to the JP secretariat at the earliest.
Adeeb is currently under house arrest despite being sentenced to 20 years in prison for his role in the MMPRC scandal.
On Monday, Gasim invited five parties to form an alliance with JP:
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Main opposition party, PPM/PNC
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Former President Maumoon Abdul Gayoom's MRM, which is part of the coalition of the current government, but is yet to take a decision on the upcoming elections
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The MNP, which is acting as an opposition party
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Independent candidates, former home minister Umar Naseer and former Attorney General Dr Mohamed Munawwar
Of these, only MRM decided to hold talks with JP. Apart from the opposition coalition and MNP, Munawwar and Umar have also said that they will not accept the invitation.
