Acting Leader of the Progressive Congress coalition, Abdul Raheem Abdulla has stated that the opposition is open to working with all parties except main-ruling Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP).
Speaking on AVAS Online's Friday night show, 'Suvaalakahfahu Suvaaleh', Abdul Raheem said the objective of the Progressive Congress coalition is to work with the people and serving them. The party is willing to work with other political parties to achieve the purpose, said Abdul Raheem. However, MDP is not a party that he sees the coalition working with, he added.
Heavily criticizing MDP leader, former President Mohamed Nasheed, Abdul Raheem ruled out ever working together with Nasheed. He described Nasheed as 'an enemy of the religion and state'. However, the opposition coalition would work with other parties that are a part of the ruling coalition, if such a situation arises, said Abdul Raheem.
'We will do whatever is necessary, work with any group, to stand up for our country and its citizens. However, there are some individuals we simply cannot work with. We cannot work with Mohamed Nasheed of 'Kenereege' in serving our country and people. We do not believe we can fight for our country and religion alongside Nasheed. What we are witnessing today, and MDP's policies make it clear that we cannot ever work with them. However, we can work with other parties if necessary,' Abdul Raheem said.
Abdul Raheem said if circumstance calls for the opposition to work with coalition partners, Adhaalath Party, Maldives Reform Movement and Jumhooree Party, the opposition would do it. However, the leaders of the three parties are not sincere to the people, said Abdul Raheem, describing them as betrayers of the state.
During the program, Abdul Raheem also spoke regarding the newest political party being formed, the Maldives National Party (MNP).
One of the founding members of MNP, former Defense Minister Colonel Mohamed Nazim has earlier said he would never work with former President and opposition leader Abdulla Yameen Abdul Gayyoom. Recalling the statement, Abdul Raheem said while the Maldives' political climate has always remained turbulent, it would be naive to believe any two parties or individuals would not work together in the future. If former President Maumoon and former President Nasheed, both of whom used to be political adversaries to each other, could work together, there are no other pairs that cannot work together, said Abdul Raheem.
The seasoned politician described MNP as a political party working with a nation-driven mindset. However, the party's ideologies revolves around President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih, said Abdul Raheem. Any connection to the party would lead back to the president, he added.
