Former President of the Maldives and leader of the Progressive Party of the Maldives (PPM), Abdulla Yameen Abdul Gayyoom, has said PPM would put forth a candidate for the 2023 Presidential Election. He made the statement while speaking at an 'India OUt' event held at Villingili on Saturday.
Rumors have been going around that PPM would not put forth a candidate for the 2023 election and that the party would support Jumhooree Party leader Gasim Ibrahim at the last minute in the presidential election slated for next year.
Speaking at the event, Yameen said the rumors were an attempt to deceive the public. He said his party would sponsor a candidate for the 2023 elections and requested the public not to believe such baseless tales spread by opponents. He added that the party would not allow any opportunity to Jumhooree Party leader Gasim Ibrahim.
'We will not back Gasim Ibrahim and pave opportunities for him because we lack a candidate,' he said emphatically.
The former President went on to say that as long as he remained in PPM leadership, the party would never join forces with any political figure linked to the stationing of Indian military officers in the Maldives. He also said the party would not take back any politician who left the party in its most significant moment of need. He described such members as boat crew who jump out of a sinking ship instead of saving it. His comments are believed to be targeted at members who left his side to join forces with Jumhooree Party.
