Yameen against Tholal serving as PPM SG

Former President Abdulla Yameen Abdul Gayoom has begun work on taking all control of PPM directly into his hands after he was transferred from prison to house arrest. The first was the removal of Mohamad Tholal from the post of party Secretary General (SG).

Some PPM members who spoke to Atoll Times on condition of anonymity said that Yameen now wants to bring someone under his 'control' as SG.

According to the PPM charter, Tholal, who has been in the party's fifth most powerful position since December 2020, has told some senior PPM-PNC leaders that Yameen does not want to keep him in the post. Two senior PPM-PNC officials confirmed this to Atoll Times.

"President Yameen does not want to keep Tholal as SG now. He wants to appoint someone under his control in his place," said a senior PPM-PNC official, speaking on condition of anonymity.

Tholal is also the joint secretary general of the PPM-PNC coalition.

"President Yameen has said to some of the leadership that he wants to appoint someone who can dedicate most of his time to the work. He believes that with Tholal's appointment in the new government, he will not be able to give enough time to PPM work," another said.

Tholal was not appointed as SG by Yameen. Yameen does not have that power. The party’s Senate is responsible for appointing the SG.

Some of those who spoke to Atoll Times said Yameen was trying to remove Tholal from the post of SG because Yameen did not want PPM/PNC to jointly field candidates for the upcoming parliament. One person said Yameen did not want to give the opportunity since Tholal is on the side of President-elect Dr Muizzu, he will have a role in such important decisions.

Yameen is a criminal convict and cannot hold any position of responsibility in a political party according to the law. Therefore, some PPM members who spoke to Atoll Times said that Yameen does not have any legal status in the party anymore.

"He was the senior leader when he had the presidential ticket. But now there is no presidential ticket. Therefore, Yameen does not have any legal authority," said a source involved in the party's internal affairs.