Deputy Leader and Lawmaker of PPM Abdul Raheem Abdulla. PHOTO:Mihaaru
Main opposition Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) has gathered over 100 members to the party in three days, rising up to the challenge issued by ruling Progressive Party of Maldives (PPM)’s deputy leader Abdul Raheem Abdulla last Monday.
Claiming that the government is not conducted behind closed doors but open to all, MP Abdul Raheem had heavily censured MDP in parliament, vowing to give away one year of his earnings should MDP be able to get 100 members within three days.
In response, MDP gathered 113 members from Laamu atoll Fonadhoo island, the constituency MP Abdul Raheem represents in parliament, adding injury to insult.
A top official of MDP involved in gaining the new memberships told Mihaaru that the opposition party received motivation from Abdul Raheem’s words.
“As he humiliated us [MDP] in front of media, we wanted to prove that Fonadhoo still supports MDP,” stated the official.
According to MDP, their campaigners spent five hours over three days to collect the new membership forms.
MDP further stated that they do not need a penny from Abdul Raheem’s earnings.
Meanwhile, PPM has launched a major campaign spearheaded by First lady Fathimath Ibrahim to increase the party’s membership, which has gained over 11,000 new membership forms within a day.
Elections Commission’s registers show that PPM cureently has 39,000 members in its registry. PPM stated last month that including the number of forms not yet submitted to the commission, their members would total to 70,000.