The bold statement came during the MDP gathering titled “New Hope for Democracy”, which was held at Alimas Carnival in the capital, Male’. The former Maldivian President Mohame Nasheed said that though Qasim Ibrahim may be his “political rival”, he was ready to do anything and everything necessary at his defense. “You cannot exert yourself upon his property. You cannot attack him personally. We shall rally in his defense. For sure, we are rallying on principle – for equality,” he said. President Nasheed’s bold statements come at a time when both JP and MDP have reached agreement to join forces, saying they would sacrifice whatever was necessary to defend Maldivian Constitution; after a parliament member belonging to government coalition put forward a revision that would exclude the JP leader for from competing in the next Presidential Elections. The MDP leader said that President Abdulla Yameen Abdul Gayoom’s estimations were all incorrect, whilst claiming that they, MDP, were not “thirsting to rule” over the country. “President Yameen, your estimations are incorrect. We will maintain the Maldivian constitution,” he said. President Nasheed said that MDP had been founded to bring a fair government and prosperity to Maldivian citizens; not just for the sake of ruling nor in desire of bribe money. He said that MDP was ready to go against President Yameen, “any day, any time, any minute.” “Whether it be in face of your tear gas, metal batons, torture devices, chains and handcuffs – we shall persevere our whole lives in torture. You cannot make us back down. We shall rally. We will save this nation,” said the MDP leader in his passionate speech. He said that Maldivians were saying no to autocratic leadership, “saying no to President Yameen’s rule.” He said that President Yameen lacked popularity, and would not be able to garner more than 25 percent of support from Maldivian citizens.