Govt says won't remove cooperating JP officials
JP leader Gasim Ibrahim sent a formal letter on Thursday rejecting the president's invitation.
By
Shahudha Mohamed
Although Jumhooree Party (JP) has officially rejected President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih's invitation to renew the existing coalition agreement for the upcoming presidential election, JP members in government posts will not be removed as long as they do not impede government functioning, a top official said Monday.
Presidential spokesperson Miuvan Mohamed had earlier said that the president would consider removing parties that contest the presidential election independently.
The government had earlier said that those occupying government posts in JP slots are not being removed as JP has not officially informed the president that he will be contesting the elections separately.
However, JP leader Gasim Ibrahim sent a formal letter on Thursday rejecting the president's invitation.
When asked about it, a top government official said:
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The government will work on the premise that JP is part of the existing coalition
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If the government's policies and functioning are disturbed, appropriate action will be taken against them
The official also pointed out that the government has been facing questions over the dissolution of MRM, which is part of the government's coalition, as well as the defection of some MDP members to form The Democrats, and JP's decision to contest the elections independently.
"The three parties are facing three very different situations," he said.
The official pointed out:
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Even if MRM was dissolved, it did not affect the ruling coalition; the reason is that the alliance with former president Maumoon Abdul Gayyoom's movement was formed before MRM was registered as a party
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Those responsible for the formation of The Democrats were removed from government posts since they had been assigned the jobs under the ruling party’s slots
While members of The Democrats, who have been working against President Solih, have been removed from their posts, some senior government officials in JP slots have left their parties and supported President Solih since the announcement of Gasim as the party's presidential candidate.
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Aishath Nahula, wife of Gasim, is transport minister
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Fisheries minister Dr Hussain Rasheed is also a JP member
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Tourism minister Dr Abdulla Mausoom is also a JP member
Mausoom had earlier announced his support for President Solih in the upcoming presidential elections.
