In an exclusive interview with “Sun”, Leader of ruling political party Progressive Party of Maldives (PPM), former Maldivian President Maumoon Abdul Gayoom denied having had any dealings with former President Mohamed Nasheed or of forging any alliance with the Maldives United Opposition.
Maumoon, who is currently in Singapore, gave the interview to “Sun” via text on Wednesday night.
Maumoon declared claims made by Nasheed in his interview with Indian Express as misleading and false.
Nasheed, who defeated Maumoon in the Presidential Election 2008, in the interview with Indian Express, hinted at the possibility of a transitional government made up of members of Maldives United Opposition and dissidents from PPM, led by Maumoon.
Nasheed was quoted by Indian Express saying that “when we see Gayoom on the same page as us, it would be very foolhardy of us to turn around and go.”
He had been playing on the difference of opinion between Maumoon and his half-brother – the current Maldivian President Abdulla Yameen Abdul Gayoom.
“I am the Leader of PPM. I have no alliance with any opposition political party or opposition political movement,” said Maumoon.
When questioned about a possible motive behind Nasheed’s comments, Maumoon said that he could not answer for a motive behind anything anyone else says.
“I don’t know what President Nasheed actually said. But the allegation made in the newspaper is false,” said Maumoon.
He also denied having had any communication with Nasheed to join the opposition.