MP Wadde: Working with JP doesn’t violate MDP’s principles

Ungoofaaru MP Mohamed Waheed (Wadde), a close aide to Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP)’s leader Mohamed Nasheed, says he does not believe working with Jumhoory Party (JP), which has its own candidate for the upcoming presidential election, violates MDP’s principles.

Speaking to Sun about Nasheed’s Fikuregge Dhirun movement, a separate faction within MDP, Wadde said only clear acts that violate MDP’s principles count as violations. His remark was directed at MPs who support MDP’s presidential candidate, President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih.

“It doesn’t clash with MDP. The only violation is the failure to implement MDP’s policies while claiming to represent MDP. The failure to sell MDP’s policies, the loss of faith in MDP… These are true violations of MDP’s core values,” he said.

Wadde said he does not see Maldives being government in accordance with MDP’s constitution.

“There is no separation of powers. The powers have been consolidated by the president more than to the level seen during President Maumoon’s administration. Independent institutions are directly under president’s control,” he said.

Speaking about the partnership between the Fikuregge Dhirun movement and JP, Wadde said that political parties give a lot of consideration before deciding to work with parties that hold different interests.

He said that he believes JP would have also given thorough consideration before deciding to work with Nasheed.

“I believe Qasim has entered the presidential race. He is highly motivated to work with us,” he said.

Wadde said that neither JP nor Nasheed had officially decided to work together in the presidential election.

He said that both sides are, however, interested in working together.

Wadde said that both sides are currently discussing Nasheed’s proposals.

“We will officially engage in some work together. We will announce it if its decided as such,” he said.