Aslam to Nasheed: Clear now that MDP cannot be destroyed

Main ruling Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP)’s parliamentary leader and running mate of President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih, on Friday, remarked that it has become evidently clear that the party cannot be easily destroyed, despite vows to “destroy” the party.

Aslam’s remark, targeted towards former MDP leader, Parliament Speaker Mohamed Nasheed, was made during a campaign event held at Hulhumale’ Phase II tonight.

Nasheed, on the night he signed to ‘The Democrats’, formed by his supporters after they left MDP, vowed to destroy MDP.

Aslam, speaking at tonight’s campaign event, said MDP is not a party that runs after the same person, adding that the party’s inception had not been centered on that logic. Rather, he said the party was formed with representation from all regions of the country.

Therefore, he described ‘just one person vowing to destroy the party’ as extremely illogical.

“Some people really thought this party was being broken up. But we can clearly see that MDP is not a party that can be easily destroyed,” he said.

Aslam said what was being witnessed instead was the party gaining further strength. As an example, he pointed out members of other parties leaving their respective parties to join MDP.

Aslam’s remarks come after Thoddoo MP Hassan Shiyan left ‘The Democrats’ to rejoin MDP on Friday. Kulhudhuffushi City Mayor Mohamed Athif and North Kulhudhuffushi MP Yasir Abdul Latheef had also left The Democrats to rejoin MDP prior to this. 

At tonight’s campaign event, other new members joining MDP presented their membership forms to the party’s Chairperson Fayyaz Ismail.