PNC deputy leader says President’s invitation for political dialogue questionable

People’s National Congress (PNC) deputy leader Ibrahim Shujau said on Monday that he finds President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih’s invitation for an open dialogue between the government and all political leaders questionable.

The invitiation for political dialogue was extended by President Solih during his address to the nation on occasion of Maldives’ 55th Independence Day on Sunday morning.

In a tweet on Monday morning, Shujau opinioned that such an invitation should not have been extended through a “media address”.

“[Former] President Yameen extended his invitation for all-party talks with a letter to the then-opposition! Not with a media address. I find your intentions questionable!” said Shujau, who had previously served as the parliamentary representative for Baarah constitutency.

President Solih, in his address, said that it isn’t right that leaders should be divided on each and every issue due to political rivalry, and that polarization due to political rivalry is detrimental to the people, and the future of the country.

“I call on all politicians to start working together with the government on issues concerning the highest interests of this nation. I will always welcome your opinion and counsel,” he said.

While the President called for political dialogue, the opposition coalition, composed of PPM and PNC, staged a rally in Male’ City on Sunday night, demanding the resignation of his administration. The rally began at the Chaandhanee Magu junction and ended at the PPM headquarters.