Jailed former president Maumoon Abdul Gayoom's daughter Dhunya Maumoon appeared to be at odds with self-exiled former president Mohamed Nasheed over support for India's military intervention in crisis-hit Maldives.
Dhunya Maumoon had resigned from her state minister's post, weeks after her father, brother and brother in law were arrested over the alleged plot to overthrow the government.
Dhunya who has been serving as the state health minister in her uncle and incumbent president Abdulla Yameen Abdul Gayoom's government resigned after she had publicly urged the authorities to release her father.
Since her resignation, the former foreign minister had been pressuring the international community to secure the release of her family.
‘I believe India is failing in its responsibility to maintain stability & assist democracy in the Maldives. I appeal to India to assist my father Pres Maumoon Abdul Gayoom, the father of modern Maldives & the architect of India-Maldives relations in t modern era," Dhunya had slammed neighbours India in a Tweet on Thursday.
Following her Tweet, Nasheed had lauded to what he understood was a call for Indian military intervention.
"I am pleased @dunyamaumoon -- Prez Yameen's former Foreign Minister and @maumoonagayoom's daughter -- understands the need for Indian intervention in the Maldives. I have always held the same view," the former president said on Twitter.
However, Dhunya quickly denied calling for Indian military intervention to resolve the political crisis in the Maldives.
"With due respect, Former President @MohamedNasheed, I am not calling for Indian military intervention. You would no doubt agree with me on the need to protect the sovereignty and independence of Maldives whilst maintaining Indian Ocean stability."
The island nation has been embroiled in fresh political turmoil after the Supreme Court on February 1 ordered the immediate release of jailed political leaders including Nasheed.
President Yameen on February 5 had declared state of emergency after his last ditch attempt to convince the top court to revoke the order failed, purged the Supreme Court by arresting two judges and the remaining political leaders and ultimately had the order revoked.
Yameen's half-brother and former president Gayoom, chief justice Abdulla Saeed, top court judge Ali Hameed and four former government lawmakers have been charged with terrorism for their involvement in the coup plot through the February 1 court order.
