Hassan Latheef, Shifaz also rejoin MDP

Hassan Latheef and Mohamed Shifaz who were serving as The Democrats’ leader and deputy leader respectively have rejoined main opposition Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP).

Hassan Latheef and Shifaz were a part of a breakaway faction from MDP shortly before 2023’s presidential election following internal conflicts. Shifaz had been serving as party’s deputy leader at the time of his resignation. Hassan Latheef, who had served as the party’s chairperson previously, was a lawmaker representing the party at the parliament.

MDP, via a post on X on Sunday, welcomed the two individuals after they signed with the party. Sun has learned that former Central Henveiru MP Ali Azim, another member of the breakaway faction, also rejoined member.

MDP split into two following the spat between then-MDP’s leader Nasheed and then Maldivian president Ibrahim Mohamed Solih, which which originated after Nasheed's requests to shift the country's governance into a parliamentary system was rejected by Solih.

The rivalry intensified afterwards, with the two at loggerheads on several other issues including how Solih's administration was governing the nation. Nasheed and Solih contested the party’s presidential primary for 2023’s election which was ultimately won by Solih.

Nasheed and his supporters then began working alongside opposition parties. Azim was expelled from MDP after participating in an opposition event. Members supporting Nasheed mass resigned from the MDP following Azim’s expulsion. They formed a separate political party, The Democrats.

Both Hassan Latheef and Shifaz are close aides Nasheed. However, Nasheed remains silent today amid resignations from top officials of The Democrats to rejoin MDP.