The Maldives Development Alliance (MDA) has said that it has yet to reach an agreement on forming a coalition for the upcoming presidential election.
MDA's leader and prominent businessman, Ahmed Siyam Mohamed, has decided not to contest the upcoming presidential election and instead form a coalition with a contesting party. He said he believed this was not the right time for him to contest the election and said he was stepping back in order to give priority to the interests of the country.
Earlier on Thursday, MDA officials met with the opposing PPM-PNC coalition regarding the presidential election at the request of the opposition leader, former President Abdulla Yameen. Speaking to the press following the meeting, MDA's Vice President, Ali Mauroof, said only discussions are ongoing at the current stage.
"We are talking right now. We haven't agreed on anything yet. So, it will take time," Mauroof explained.
Meanwhile, MDA has also met with the main0ruling MDP regarding the election. Mauroof said MDA would meet the parties in the order of receiving invitation letters. Mauroof said Jumhooree Party has also expressed interest in the MDA.
"There is no proposal from the JP directly thus far. However, talks are underway," Mauroof said.
Mauroof said the MDA is open to all parties and will go into coalition with the best option in the best interest of the people, the country, and the religion.
At the press conference, PNC's Vice President Ibrahim Sujau said MDA was the most important partner in the five years of former President Abdulla Yameen's rule. The coalition agreement formed at the time was implemented "word to word," he said. He said the PPM-PNC coalition did not approach MDA for discussion earlier as Siyam had previously announced he would contest the presidential election.
