The main-ruling Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP)'s President, Mohamed Nasheed, and his close associates have met with the Jumhooree Party Leader Qasim Ibrahim's representative and advisor, Ilham Ahmed.
The meeting that took place at the Parliament building was attended by MDP's Vice-President Mohamed Shifaz, former Chairman of the party, and Henveiru West MP Hassan Lateef and Hulhudhoo MP Ilyas Labeeb. Neither MDP nor JP has revealed any details regarding the meeting thus far.
Earlier in January, Nasheed contested against President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih in the MDP primary held to determine the party's presidential candidate. While President Solih won the primary with a large margin, Nasheed has said he would not back President Solih in the presidential election and has instead been working to establish his own MDP wing.
Nasheed's meeting with Qasim's advisor coincides with allegations that Nasheed intends to support a party other than his own in the upcoming presidential election. Earlier on Tuesday, MP Hassan Latheef had also floated the idea of an MDP running mate contesting the presidential election with a JP candidate.
"How about having a member of another party as a presidential candidate and having an MDP running mate, and therefore, an MDP-shared government where we can have our say and give consultations and advice and serve the people?," Hassan asked.
Last weekend, JP held its Congress, of which Nasheed attended the opening and closing ceremonies. Qasim spoke in high praise of Nasheed at both ceremonies.
