Two coalition leaders continue attacking each other’s views, at their respective party campaign rallies for April’s parliamentary elections.
Ruling Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP)’s leader, former President Mohamed Nasheed and Jumhooree Party (JP)’s leader Qasim Ibrahim have been at odds since the former decided to compete in all 87 constituencies in the election.
Qasim, who is the current parliament speaker, claims that that MDP is violating a coalition agreement by doing so. However, MDP insists that “there is no binding agreement signed by all four leaders.”
While there had been reports that all four coalition parties will be jointly contesting in the parliamentary elections, following MDP’s national congress’ decision in December the parties are competing against each other; however, Adhaalath and MDP are working together in some constituencies.
During a campaign rally for MDP’s candidate for Felidhoo constituency on Saturday, Nasheed spoke against electing millionaires as the people’s representatives in parliament.
As such, the former president highlighted that electing millionaires will be an obstacle to introducing a minimum wage policy.
Noting that MDP’s “Agenda 19” promises minimum wage and service charge policies, Nasheed questioned on how this could be a priority “to a millionaire or resort owner.” He highlighted that “there will be a conflict of interest.”
Nasheed’s comments are likely directed at Qasim, a business tycoon and resort owner, who recently stated that “millionaires should be elected to parliament.”
His reasoning for this is, “then, they will not be swayed by bribes.”
At the same rally, the JP leader stated that the ruling party “has no guarantee of receiving even six seats,” in the parliamentary election.
This was a response to Nasheed’s claim that JP “has no chance of winning six seats in the election even after allying themselves with the opposition coalition.”
Jumhooree Party has formed an alliance with former President Abdulla Yameen’s opposition- Progressive Coalition- for the parliamentary elections, despite still being a part of the ruling coalition.
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