Former President and Speaker of the Parliament Mohamed Nasheed has made allegations against President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih in relation to some members of the party in government positions being threatened and dismissed from their jobs. Nasheed has expressed his displeasure with the President In the run-up to the election of Maldives Democratic Party's (MDP) Chairperson.
In a message sent to the WhatsApp group of MDP's National Council, Nasheed said that Solih uses the powers granted to the president under Article 115 of the Constitution very politically. He said that members of the party in government positions should not be dismissed in the prior to the elections.
Article 115 of the Constitution states the responsibilities and powers of the President. Under this article, the president has the authority to dismiss individuals from their posts.
In his message, Nasheed requested that the President be dismissed if he were to dismiss members of the party. However, Nasheed did not clearly indicate which position he was going to dismiss.
The vote for the vacant post of Chairperson will be held on April 16. Nasheed's allegations were directed at the president, while this election is important for both individuals to gain control of the party which is clearly evident in the two-way campaign.
North Maafannu MP Imthiyaz Fahmy is running for the chair from Nasheed's side while Economic Minister Fayyaz has the support of President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih.
The campaign has been intensified and verbal attacks are also being targeted during party meetings.
Nasheed did not clarify the identity of the MDP members who were dismissed from government positions. However, there has been a rift among the party's supporters over the dismissal of MDP members who support Imthiyaz.
Nasheed and President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih have been at odds over internal issues within the party in the past as well.