Construction Minister Dr. Abdulla Muthalib states main opposition Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) has been permitted to use Sultan Park as a venue for the function to celebrate former president Mohamed Nasheed rejoining the party amid allegations by the party that the government was obstructing the party from securing a venue.
Via a post on X last night, MDP’s Chairperson Fayyaz Ismail accused the government of obstructing the party’s efforts to secure a venue for the ceremony to commemorate Nasheed’s return and the party’s 20th anniversary.
He added that if the government fails to provide a venue, the party will hold the ceremony in front of Mulee’aage, the official residence of the president.
Muthalib, via post on X on Friday night, said MDP had requested to hold a function at Sultan Park, which the Construction Ministry has handed over to Male’ City Council for renovations. As such, the Minister detailed that the Park has not been rented out to date, adding that there is a policy on renting the Park.
“Nevertheless, because Maldivian Democratic Party has requested to rent the premises for the event as they have been unable to secure another location from Male’, we have decided to issue Sultan Park’s event area as requested by the party,” he said.
The government’s spokesperson Heena Waleed refuted Fayyaz’s allegations last night, citing that locations for unpermitted assemblies have been clearly stipulated, adding the current administration has upheld the freedom of right to assembly much more than the MDP administration.
During a national assembly meeting on Tuesday, Democrats passed a resolution agreeing that all members will rejoin the MDP,  citing that they believe “a strong opposition is the best way to win the local council election, improve Maldives’ future, uphold an accountable state, and restore the waning faith in a competitive multi-party system.”
The MDP’s national council convened for an unofficial meeting at the party’s headquarters at on Wednesday night to discuss this decision, where none of the national council members raised any objections to the Democrats rejoining the MDP, and decided to welcome them back.
Democrats was formed by supporters of Nasheed who defected MDP following internal conflicts shortly ahead of the last presidential elections.