Nasheed warns government in JP’s defense

Ruling Maldivian Democratic Party’s (MDP) leader, Parliament Speaker Mohamed Nasheed, on Thursday night, issued a strong warning against the government in the defense of Jumhoory Party (JP),

JP, which is part of the current coalition government, had decided Tuesday that it will not support President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih’s re-election, and will contest the upcoming election independently instead – sparking concern from MDP.

Following the decision, MDP MPs criticized JP and demanded the resignation of the party’s politicians serving in top posts in President Solih’s administration.

In this regard, Makunudhoo MP Mohamed Raai, speaking at Wednesday’s parliamentary sitting, said if JP’s politicians serving in top posts in the government do not tender their resignation – they will be removed from their posts.

Expressing concerns following the remark in the parliament’s Whatsapp group – JP’s leader, Qasim Ibrahim said that he, depleted, was watching this scene on the sidelines. Nasheed responded to the text by defending JP.

On this note, he said that he and his supporters need to be crossed in order to dismiss JP members.

“Does the government wish to prompt me to take to the roads? Am extremely familiar with tear gas, prison cells and stock. Can still stay there,” he said.

While Nasheed has spoken in defense of JP – Nasheed’s faction MDP members have initiated an effort to form a joint parliamentary group with JP members. The MDP leader has also spoken highly of Qasim and has been lobbying him to contest the presidential election.