Incumbent president Abdulla Yameen Abdul Gayoom on Tuesday blamed the upcoming presidential election for the recent surge in violence especially in the capital Male.
Speaking after inaugurating the new harbour in Raa Atoll Innamaadhoo island, president Yameen attributed the recent uptick in violent assaults to the "elections season" urging the public to be wary.
He indirectly blamed the opposition for gang violence saying that violent crimes had surged during the main opposition Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) government in 2008.
"So when they [opposition] talk about justice, peace and stability, they only need to look at themselves to see what they taught young people in their quest to come to power," he alleged.
His comments come in the wake of multiple stabbing attacks believed to be gang related in recent weeks.
President Yameen again took a swipe at the opposition alliance presidential candidate Ibrahim Mohamed Solih reiterating that the people do need an "interim leader."
