Waheed resigns from PPM over pres ticket dispute

Former President Dr. Mohamed Waheed has quit PPM on Thursday, saying that fielding a specific candidate by preventing another’s candidacy was a betrayal made by the party leadership.

Waheed has expressed his interest in contesting the upcoming presidential election on the PPM ticket.

However, the PPM coalition has given the ticket to former Housing Minister and current Mayor Dr. Muizzu on behalf of coalition party PNC and expressed its support for the PPM.

Atoll Times has received a copy of Waheed's letter to leave the PPM. In it, he said that between the Supreme Court upholding the Election Commission's decision on August 5 and the deadline for nominations on August 7, the PPM had time to nominate a candidate.

“There is time to nominate another candidate, no effort on the part of the PPM leadership, and no further opportunity to nominate a candidate for the party senate, nominating another minor party candidate is a huge betrayal by the party leadership,” the former president wrote.

"Therefore, I regret to condemn the injustice and resign from the post of Senior Advisor of the party”.

Following the letter, Waheed issued a declaration on Twitter. In it, he said he resigned because he felt it was best to work elsewhere where his skills, knowledge and abilities would be utilized.

He said he joined the PPM 10 years ago because he wanted to ensure stability in the country and continue the development projects started during his rule.

He has not said which party he will work with or which presidential candidate he will support.

Waheed did not congratulate or greet Muizzu for getting the PPM coalition candidate ticket.

Muizzu began his political career when he was appointed Housing Minister in Waheed's government.