MDP says only 60 left for Democrats; low support in Addu

MDP's Deputy Chairperson Ibrahim Waheed said on Sunday that around 60 people have so far quit MDP and signed up to The Democrats, and only around 300 people have so far joined the new breakaway party led by MDP president Mohamed Nasheed.

President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih arrived in Addu on Saturday on a three-day visit to inaugurate and inspect projects. He was accompanied by senior government functionaries.

Ibrahim Waheed, who is also a minister at the President's Office, said the welcome to President Solih from Addu was as warm as the people of Addu had ever given a president on such a trip. One of the reasons why the people have given such a warm welcome is that despite the party being divided into two factions, Addu is with MDP, he said.

"They have no plans to leave the party and join another party. Maybe some people might find it hard to believe. I don't see many people quitting MDP. We received more [resignation] letters when Ibra [former MDP president Ibrahim Ismail] formed SLDP," said Ibrahim Waheed in Hithadhoo.

Ibrahim Waheed said:

While Nasheed is still with MDP, The Democrats have announced that they will run for president. Nasheed is also expected to quit the party later and join The Democrats.

When asked if it would be difficult for President Solih to win the elections now, Ibrahim Waheed said Nasheed's candidacy would not be a threat to President Solih.

Ibrahim Waheed said Addu was never Nasheed's stronghold, but has always been with MDP. Noting that the people of Addu are moving forward with the leader of MDP, Ibrahim Waheed said that even if President Solih is not in the leadership of MDP, it will still be the same.

Ibrahim Waheed noted that Addu played a major role in the formation of MDP. At that time, Nasheed was popular and important in all parts of the country, but now his support base in the islands have dwindled as well, he said.