President of Maldives National Alliance (MDA), MP Mohamed Siyam, has said he is not interested in being President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih's running mate in the upcoming presidential election.
MDA and current ruling coalition partner Adhaalath Party have formed an alliance with the main-ruling Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) as President Solih seeks re-election. President Solih had extended the opportunity to MDA and Adhaalath to nominate a running mate from their party.
Upon returning from a trip to Singapore on Friday, Siyam addressed reporters at Velana International Airport and stated that he had no interest in assuming the role of running mate. However, he also mentioned that he would reluctantly take up the position if there were no other suitable candidates.
Siyam said that as he is not contesting the presidential election, there is currently no political rivalry. Noting that MDA has formed a coalition with MDP, Siyam said President Solih's coalition is the largest coalition in the presidential race and that their number cannot be surpassed even if all the remaining parties came together.
"I think that with the mercy and help of Allah, our presidential coalition candidate will be elected in a single round. I have no doubt," he said.
President Solih has launched his presidential campaign with great enthusiasm and has yet to name a running mate. The president had earlier said he had received several names to consider for running mate and that it is a difficult decision.
