Nasheed: President will lose, I don’t want MDP to suffer such a great defeat

Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP)’s leader, Parliament Speaker Mohamed Nasheed states he was forced to contest in MDP’s presidential primary because President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih would not get enough votes to go even to a second round of voting if he contests in the upcoming presidential elections.

Speaking at the official launch of his election campaign ‘Fikuregge Dhirun’ at the Alimas Carnival on Wednesday night, Nasheed criticized President Solih and his administration.

"I am here to contest again,” said Nasheed, opening his speech.

“I am here to contest for Maldivian Democratic Party’s presidential ticket. I will, God willing, remain steadfast in this. I will, God willing, remain steadfast in this each and every single day until January 28,” said Nasheed.

“I am not here because I lack scars. Because I have suffered little. I am here to return Maldivian Democratic Party to you.”

Nasheed said that President Solih would not even get 20 percent of votes if he became MDP’s presidential candidate.

He said that though some MDP members in high-ranking government jobs and the Parliament support President Solih, their families, relatives and friends support him.

“They have told me in clear terms that he will not get their votes even if he asks,” he said.

Loss of ‘MDPianism’

Nasheed said President Solih and his supporters had spent the last five years isolating Nasheed and scores of MDP members.

“They wanted to use MDP’s colors, MDP’s logo, and MDP’s passion to change this party from the inside. They removed 39,000 members to change this party,” he said.

Nasheed said he would never back such a change.

Nasheed said the move had alienated scores of MDP members and led to loss of President Solih’s popularity within the party.

He said that it was up to him to govern Maldives based on the Maldivian and Islamic principles the party believes in.

“He said he wants a coalition. He said he has another network. He said that the people employed on MDP slots will be outsiders. He changed everything. He lost over 70,000 votes all by himself,” he said.

‘He could not get anything done’

Nasheed said that President Solih discarded the manifesto MDP created, which has resulted in strained ties between the president and MDP members.

“He couldn’t get anything done. The price of fish remains same. The price of fuel has skyrocketed,” he said.

Criticizing President Solih’s administration’s policies, Nasheed said the administration does not have a single housing project to its name as its five-year term draws to an end. He said that the majority of the population will not vote for President Solih’s reelection.

“Couldn’t get it done, couldn’t get it done. Wouldn’t react,” he said.

Nasheed said the people voted in 2018 for MDP’s manifesto, and accused President Solih of not making any attempt to fulfil any of his electoral pledges.

He reiterated his ascertain that MDP will get just 20 percent of votes in an election contested by President Solih.