Opposition Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) on Saturday singled out Umar for severe criticism accusing him of ordering police to block the ongoing mass anti-government protest. MDP had described Umar as a "major obstacle" to peaceful political activity in the Maldives. Speaking during a press conference on Saturday, MDP spokesperson Imthiyaz Fahmy pointed out that police had broken up the protest on direct orders of the home minister. The order clearly shows the level of political influence within the police service, he said. In response, Umar told Haveeru on Sunday that some MDP lawmakers were paid off by the now deposed vice president Ahmed Adheeb Abdul Ghafoor to vote in favour of the constitutional amendment which paved the way for his ascent to the vice presidency. "That's why MDP supporters are fed up with their party. They say one thing on podiums and turn around and say something completely different," Umar said. "They talked pretty loud about Adheeb's corruption. But when Adheeb came and asked them to change the constitution to allow him to become the vice president in return for money, they took the money and voted. So what are they talking about now? The only thing they believe in is money." Adheeb secured the vice president’s post after changes to the constitution that set age restrictions on candidates contesting for presidency and vice presidency. The constitutional amendment – the first since it came into effect in 2008 – limit the age for presidency and vice presidency from 30 to 65 years. Previously the minimum age was 35 years and there was no upper age limit. The amendment, widely regarded as the first step in the subsequent impeachment of then Vice President Mohamed Jameel Ahmed, was approved by the parliament and ratified by President Abdulla Yameen Abdul Gayoom in July. Then Vice President Adheeb was arrested on October 24 upon return from an official visit to China and taken to the police detention centre in the island of Dhoonidhoo in Kaafu atoll. He is accused of orchestrating a recent blast aboard the presidential speedboat now confirmed as an attempt to kill the president. President Yameen and First Lady Fathimath Ibrahim were travelling to Male from the airport on September 28 when the explosion took place. They had returned home that morning after concluding their visit to Saudi Arabia to perform the annual hajj pilgrimage. The president was unhurt, but the first lady suffered a spinal fracture. In addition to two cases involving the discovery of a handgun and buying off intelligence reports, police had sought criminal charges against Adheeb and one of his closest aides over the alleged embezzlement of funds through a state corporation as well. Authorities say the money had been used by Adheeb to fund the blast and buy off lawmakers to move a no-confidence motion against president Yameen. Umar also said MDP revolved around just one individual, referring to jailed former president and MDP leader Mohamed Nasheed, and urged the opposition party to become democratic. Umar further mocked the comparison of Nasheed to former South African president and democracy icon Nelson Mandela saying that Nasheed was making under the table deals with the government to secure his release. "Mandela also had the chance to get himself released by making a deal," he added. In his interview with Haveeru, Umar also said he was sure Nasheed’s name would not be on the ballot in the next presidential elections. Nasheed’s MDP had lost its direction, he said, adding that the party would not be able to win both the presidential elections in 2018 and 2023. “There’s only one way Nasheed’s name would be on the ballot; that is if a court rules that it is permissible to kidnap a judge,” Umar said. According to the minister, such a ruling would give the government “licence to kidnap anyone” it wishes. Nasheed was sentenced to 13 years in prison in March for ordering the arbitrary detention of chief criminal judge Abdulla Mohamed during his presidency.