Ali Waheed quits JP

Former tourism minister Ali Waheed, who was the Special Advisor to Jumhoory Party (JP) Leader Gasim Ibrahim, resigned from the party on Wednesday.

Ali announced his departure from the JP in a post on X on Wednesday evening.

Ali's post said that the opportunity to work with Gasim was a very valuable experience. He said he would continue to serve the country and the people.

Ali served as Gasim's electoral agent in the September 9 presidential election. Gasim finished fifth with some 5,400 votes, lower than independent candidate, former home minister Umar Naseer.

Gasim has decided not to support any party in the second round of the election to be held on September 30. However, he said that any JP member can support and campaign for any candidate of their choice without representing the party.

Ali Waheed arrived in Male on August 11 after he went abroad and stayed in the United Kingdom after being fired and charged for sexually assaulting female employees of the ministry during his tenure as the first tourism minister of the current government.

The charges have been dropped.

At the time of his return, he said he had not come to Maldives to do any political work and would work to promote sports.