Nasheed under fire for 'mocking' Pres Solih's health
Nasheed's remarks were not accepted by MDP members, supporters of President Solih and senior officials of this government.
By
Mohamed Muzayyin Nazim
Parliament speaker Mohamed Nasheed have come under fire for his remarks on Sunday about President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih's age and health.
President Solih's former friend and ally Nasheed mocked him at a rally at The Democrats party camp on Sunday. Nasheed said that President Solih is now old.
Nasheed said Maldives now needs an educated, capable and young leader. He said he himself has now understood that he is too old to govern.
"I am 56. The president is approaching 60. God willing, I don't need to eat a handful of medicine in the morning. God willing, I have not put four stents in my heart," he said.
Nasheed said that “governance is the very spirit of youth” and it can be done best at a young age. He said that when a person is over 50, they cannot even imagine introducing a tax system and transportation policies.
“I have to tell President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih, that I am telling him now that he has gotten too old,” Nasheed said.
"I would like to repeat to the MDP members that you have to deeply consider when your president and your candidate has to take a handful of medicine every morning; your candidate's heart disease; your candidate's health condition …”.
Nasheed's remarks were not accepted by MDP members, supporters of President Solih and senior officials of this government.
"After losing the primary, a person who made various excuses not to follow the winning candidate has just spawn another set of hateful remarks," presidential spokesperson Miuvan Mohammed tweeted.
Miuvan said he was sad that a person like Nasheed fell to that level. However, it is not surprising, he added.
"Our candidate will not speak different every day. He will not rush about. He will not make unrealistic promises or give empty hopes to deceive the people," Chief of Staff at the President's Office Ali Zahir also tweeted.
Some critics on social media said Nasheed's remarks were too personal, but political history of the nation has exhibited worse narratives and accusations, against Nasheed himself at times.
"Your comments have cost you respect and support, Nasheed," a person tweeted.
