The main-ruling Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) 's Chairperson, Fayyaz Ismail, has called on the party's Leader, Parliament Speaker Mohamed Nasheed, to reconsider his views following the outcome of the party's presidential primary.
Nasheed contested against President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih in MDP's presidential primary held Saturday. President Solih received 61 percent with 24,572 votes, against Nasheed's 15,631 votes -- 39 percent.
Nasheed did not comment on President Solih's apparent victory on the day of the election or the day after. On Sunday, he sent a message to MDP's Whatsapp group and said most people voted for President Solih in the primary. However, President Solih will fail to succeed in the presidential election, he said. He said he would determine the candidate he would support in the presidential election later. Nasheed further said it would be easier to support a candidate who agrees to switch to a parliamentary government system.
Nasheed also proposed to establish MDP branches in all islands under the name of "Fikuregge Dhirun," the slogan he used in the primary. He asked for the 39,000 party members whom he claimed were removed from the party to be re-registered to the party and move forward from there.
In response to Nasheed's messages, Chairperson Fayyaz asked Nasheed to reconsider his views on the matter. He said the party's candidate would be whoever won the primary.
"I do not believe you can change the party's rules and regulations like that," Fayyaz said.
