MDP, Democrats in talks to hold govt 'accountable'
When Amr wrote in X supportive of talks between the rival parties, he was criticised.
By
Ahmed Mizyal
Main opposition Maldivian Democraic Party (MDP) and The Democrats have begun talks ahead of the upcoming parliamentary elections.
A photo of the MDP and Democrats at the same table on Monday has been circulating on social media.
The meeting was attended by MDP Chairman Fayyaz Ismail and Hulhumale Constituency Member Ali Niyaz. The Democrats were among the most critical of the MDP and its leaders, being a party that sprung out of the MDP. The Democrats at the meeting were:
-
1-
Galolhu North MP Eva Abdullah
-
2-
Henveiru North MP and Democrats President Hassan Latheef
-
3-
Ilyas Labeeb, who contested the last presidential election on behalf of the Democrats
-
4-
Democrats Parliamentary Group Leader Ali Azim
-
5-
Madaveli MP Hussain Firshan
Several senior leaders and ordinary members of the two parties have also expressed their views on social media saying it is time for the two parties to work together.
“The government can only be truly held accountable and responsible if the Democrats and the MDP work together,” Hossain Amr, who also led the founding of the Democrats and recently ran for its president, said in an X post on Monday.
The Democrats were formed with some senior leaders and ordinary members who left the MDP. Some members of the MDP have called on the Democrats to leave or dissolve the party and rejoin the MDP.
Amr's post was criticized by many people. Some people said that although they said they would work together today, they had left the MDP because they did not want it.
The MDP and Democrats have yet to comment on the talks. However, another news agency reported on Monday quoting Amr:
-
He believes that both parties should contest the parliamentary elections together
-
Although not officially discussed, such similar discussions are being held between members of the two parties
The MDP and Democrats are rumored to be running together for the March parliamentary elections. The two parties' parliamentary primaries will be held next month. Thus:
-
The MDP primary will be held on February 3
-
The Democratic primary will be held on February 17
There are 93 constituencies in the parliamentary elections, with the MDP confirmed to contest in 88 constituencies. The party has also given tickets in 45 constituencies without a primary.
