MP Aslam: Losing Qasim doesn’t pose ‘major’ challenge

Losing Jumhoory Party (JP) for the upcoming presidential election, while a loss, doesn’t pose that big of a challenge, states Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP)’s parliamentary group leader Mohamed Aslam.

JP, which is part of the current coalition government, had decided earlier this week that it will not support President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih for re-election, and will contest the upcoming election independently instead. The party has opened candidacy to hold a presidential primary.

Aslam told Sun on Thursday that while he accepts that losing JP is a loss to MDP, it does not pose a major challenge to the main ruling party.

“I’m confident President Solih will win the election by a clear margin. He is doing a lot. He has been making great policies and affecting positive changes. I believe the people fully welcome the good decisions he has been making,” he said.

Aslam believes the people remain with President Solih, though he may have lost a key ally.

“Not having someone with us is not what’s important. I don’t see this as that much of a challenge. But its good to have many allies, not just Qasim,” he said.

“Losing Qasim, specifically, isn’t that great a loss. I don’t see this as a big blow”.

President Solih has been engaged in discussions with potential coalition partners in preparation of the election in September. Adhaalath Party (AP) and Maldives Development Alliance (MDA) have both agreed to back his re-election.