JP, MRM in talks to field common pres candidate

Jumhooree Party (JP) and former President Maumoon Abdul Gayoom's Maldives Reform Movement (MRM) on Tuesday began negotiations on fielding a common candidate for the upcoming presidential elections.

JP leader and presidential candidate Gasim Ibrahim, former President Mohamed Nasheed and MNP presidential candidate Mohamed Nazim have agreed to field a common candidate if the main opposition PPM and MRM agreed to the proposal

Top officials from JP and MRM held a meeting at JP's main political camp at M. Kunooz Tuesday afternoon. However, the talks did not involve PPM or MNP.

Replying to questions from reporters after the meeting, Faris said the talks were very promising.

“We are mainly working together to come to a position where we can work together and the top priority is to bring about the reforms that the people of Maldives want,” he said, noting that further discussions will continue in the near future.

"If there are things we disagree on, I’m hopeful we can reach an agreement on them as well."

Regarding his candidacy, Faris said:

Gasim's campaign manager and party deputy leader Ameen Ibrahim said he believes that the change the people want can be brought about by nominating a common candidate.

"Unless we all work together, this desired result won't be achieved. We will continue to work towards that," he said.