MDP’s leaders seen together for first time since heated election

President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih (R) and Parliament Speaker Mohamed Nasheed (L) shake hands at the reception to mark India's 74th Republic Day on January 31, 2023. (Photo/President's Office)

The two candidates who ran for Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP)’s presidential ticket, President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih and MDP’s Leader and Parliament Speaker Mohamed Nasheed, have made their first public appearance together after the heated primary last weekend.

They were both in attendance at the reception held by the Indian High Commission in Dharubaaruge on Tuesday night to celebrate India’s 74th Republic Day.

Photos shared by the President’s Office show President Solih and Nasheed, who are usually seen together, were seated at different tables during the reception.

President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih (R) attends the reception to mark India's 74th Republic Day on January 31, 2023. (Photo/President's Office)

President Solih was seated with Foreign Minister Abdulla Shahid, while Nasheed was seated with Economic Minister and MDP’s Chairperson Fayyaz Ismail.

They had little interaction during the reception, but were seen shaking hands before leaving.

It was their first public appearance together since the election.

Parliament Speaker Mohamed Nasheed (C) attends the reception to mark India's 74th Republic Day on January 31, 2023. (Photo/President's Office)

The deepening rift within MDP – fueled by the difference of opinion between the party’s two top leaders Nasheed and President Solih - had been at the forefront of the ruling party’s recent presidential primary, which President Solih won over Nasheed with 61 percent of votes.

Nasheed has refused to support President Solih as MDP’s presidential candidate, and has called for the formation of a 50,000-member separate branch within the party under the name ‘Fikuregge Dhirun’ – which had been his campaign slogan for the primary.

Parliament Speaker Mohamed Nasheed attends the reception to mark India's 74th Republic Day on January 31, 2023. (Photo/President's Office)

Nasheed had held MDP’s ticket in all presidential elections after the introduction of the multi-party system, until a now-overturned conviction disqualified him from the presidential election in 2018. MDP’s congress, with the backing of Nasheed himself, decided to present the ticket to President Solih – who went on to win the election.

In his victory rally after the MDP primary, President Solih invited Nasheed to work together with him. However, Nasheed said MDP did not stand a chance to win the presidential election with President Solih as their candidate.