Ruling Progressive Party of Maldives' (PPM) running-mate has assured winning upcoming presidential election by a landslide.
Dr. Mohamed Shaheem Ali Saeed in a tweet made Sunday evening claimed his resolve cannot be shaken, assuring president Abdulla Yameen will be re-elected as Maldives president.
According to Shaheem the ruling party's aim will be to preserve Islamic faith in Maldives while empowering youth.
Dr. Mohamed Shaheem had earlier announced he will be resigning from Maldives Islamic University's chancellor designation on Monday since he is once again entering politics. However, president Abdulla Yameen had requested from Dr. Shaheem to retain his designation and rescind his resignation.
The Maldives Islamic University chancellor was nominated as the ruling party's running mate through a coinciding nod from all members of PPM's council on Saturday evening.
Following the party's announcement Dr. Shaheem received felicitations from president Abdulla Yameen's cabinet ministers, including Fisheries Minister Dr. Mohamed Shainee, Economic Minister Mohamed Saeed and Housing Minister Dr. Mohamed Muizzu.
Dr. Shaheem was also congratulated by several of his clergy colleagues while others have expressed their disappointment in the former Islamic Minister's new alliance.
A prominent religious scholar had reminisced about incumbent president Yameen's actions towards his previous running-mate. Dr. Mohamed Iyaz tweeted that he once saw a running-mate pushed to the campaign front-lines but shoved aside immediately after winning.
Another scholar, Sheikh Ilyas Hussain had indirectly criticized Dr. Shaheem stating religious clerics must uphold selflessness and devotion to the Islamic faith. He also added that religiously conscious people should prioritize the public's benefits over personal motives.
Sheikh Ilyas Hussain has been a firm and vocal critic towards president Abdulla Yameen's regime.
However several religious clerics have announced their allegiance to president Abdulla Yameen; backing the incumbent president for re-election.
It was strongly believed Dr. Shaheem's alliance with president Abdulla Yameen will prove beneficial to ruling party. The party expects president Yameen will be endorsed by religious scholars of nation.
