Democrats not a challenge; MDP can't be dismantled, says president

The Democrats party, led by speaker Mohammed Nasheed who recently quit MDP, is not a challenge and the ruling party cannot be dismantled as Nasheed has threatened, President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih said on Monday.

The president is campaigning for the upcoming presidential election in Meemu and Vaavu atolls. The president spoke to journalists who accompanied him before concluding his three-day visit. 

Replying to a question from reporters, the president said MDP does not see Democrats as a rival in the upcoming presidential election.

The president said:

Replying to a question on Nasheed's departure from MDP, the president said it was sad for anyone to leave the party, but MDP would always go ahead.

"Anyone leaving the party is a lost vote. We are trying to get that lost vote in other ways," he said.

"It [dismantling of MDP] will not succeed”.

Nasheed, in his debut speech as a member of Democrats on Thursday, threatened to dissolve the ruling MDP, saying it had already fallen apart.

“I tell all the members of the MDP, I will dismantle the party,” Nasheed said.

President Solih on Monday added that MDP is advocating for five key aspects in the September 9 presidential election.