Adaalath Party has formally announced the decision to terminate its coalition with the Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) which controls the government of the Maldives. The decision has been officially communicated to MDP as well.
In a letter signed by Imran Abdullah, President of Adaalath Party to Dr. Ibrahim Didi, his MDP counterpart, said that Adaalath’s Consultative Assembly had passed a resolution to bring an end to their agreement with MDP. According to the letter, 32 members out of 34 present and voting in the meeting of the Assembly voted in favor of termination of coalition.
Imran’s letter also clearly stated that no member of his party would now be represented at the government. Dr. Abdul Majeed Abdul Bari and Hussein Rasheed, two of the most prominent leaders of Adaalath are serving the government as Minister of Islamic Affairs and Minister of State for Islamic Affairs respectively. Although Imran’s letter impliedly says that these two ministers would no longer serve the government, no express statements have so far being made about their offices by Adaalath or them.
Press Secretary at the President’s Office, Mohamed Zuhair, today said that neither the Minister nor the State Minister for Islamic Affairs had so far communicated any statements about resignation. “Adaalath’s decision to terminate their coalition with MDP does not mean that a member of the party can serve the government. There are members of other parties who serve the government, and that is not a problem”, said Zuhair.
According to Adaalath Party, their decision to break off political cooperation with MDP is the result of the government’s insincerity in supporting the religion of Islam, its failure to respect the sovereignty and autonomy of the nation, the continuously falling standard of living due to which people have to suffer more with everyday, and the utter failure to be seen in every aspect of government. Adaalath also said that the people who had voted for reform and betterment are now left with nothing but frustration.
MDP has not made any official comments about the decision of Adaalath.
In the Presidential Election 2008, a coalition of the then opposition parties, spearheaded by the Maldivian Democratic Party, challenged and narrowly defeated the government of Maumoon Abdul Qayyoom. MDP had promised its allies, at that time, to form a government with their full participation. However, the parties that allied themselves with MDP back then have all now cut off their ties with MDP, accusing them of furthering their interests in dictatorial and illegal ways, contrary to their promises.