Ex-pres Waheed to join JP

Former president Dr Mohamed Waheed Hassan Manik, who quit PPM on Thursday after his displeasure over awarding the party's presidential ticket, has decided to support JP’s presidential candidate Gasim Ibrahim and is set to sign on with them, according to sources.

Waheed had expressed interest in PPM's ticket on the very same day after the Supreme Court ruled that PPM's presidential candidate, former president Abdulla Yameen, could not contest the elections. However, PPM did not contest the elections and they had instead decided to support their coalition partner PNC’s presidential candidate, Male Mayor Dr Mohamed Muizz.

Waheed, who was also Yameen's advisor, left the PPM on Thursday, feeling betrayed.

A senior JP official told Atoll Times on Friday that Waheed has now decided to support JP leader Gasim Ibrahim in the presidential election.

“President Waheed will sign to the JP at a rally in Mamigili tomorrow [Saturday] night,” he said.

It is learned that Waheed is currently at Gasim’s Sun Island resort where Gasim holds discussions with politicians.

In his letter to the PPM, Waheed said he was unhappy with the party's decision not to contest the election. In the letter, Waheed said:

“It is a huge betrayal by the party leadership to nominate another minor party candidate while 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,” he wrote in his letter.

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