Coalition partner, Jumhooree Party's leader Gasim Ibrahim has praised President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih for his efforts in maintaining the ruling coalition.
The coalition is comprised of Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP), Jumhooree Party (JP), religiously conservative Adhaalath Party (AP) and former president Maumoon Abdul Gayyoom's reform movement.
Speaking at a ceremony held Tuesday to welcome new members joining the party, Gasim said JP has had bitter experiences as part of coalitions in the past. While JP significantly contributed to elect former president Mohamed Nasheed to office in 2008 and former president Abdulla Yameen Abdul Gayyoom in 2013, the end result was not what was expected, said Gasim.
While both MDP and PPM had expelled JP from the government in the past, those elected to government posts on party slots were forced to change parties, said Gasim.
However, current President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih is different in how he handles the dynamics of the coalition, noted Gasim. He thanked the president for successfully maintaining the ruling coalition for one year.
"I congratulate and express my sincere gratitude to the president. I thank the president for his noble intentions of maintaining the coalition, and being fair to all Maldivian citizens. However, I assure you all that I would not be saying this if [the president] was unfair and unjust. My words will change. This is not something I have to announce in advance," said Gasim.
Gasim also spoke on the concern expressed by some parties on JP's decision to field a candidate for the 2023 presidential elections.
While Dr. Mausoom, former Vice President of JP who is currently appointed as the Maldivian Ambassador to Singapore on a JP slot, has expressed his concern over the party's decision, Gasim said there was no point of new members joining the party if the party does not field a candidate in the next election.
Gasim added that political parties are formed to formulate policies and implement them to establish fair governance for the people. Therefore, all political parties must show interest in taking part in the election, said Gasim.
"If Jumhooree Party decides not field a candidate for the presidential election, what is the point of people joining this party? Is there any need? Every night, we are reiterating loud and clear that we will put forward a candidate for the 2023 elections," Gasim said.
"We need to assure the public that we will put forward a candidate who will advocate in the peoples' name, who will serve them. We will have a candidate ready when the country's citizens vote to elect a president," Gasim said.
Gasim has previously stated that JP will field a candidate for the presidential election despite any concerns expressed by any party.
Gasim assured that JP will continue along its path to ensure a true republic governance for the country's citizens, and that the party would not step back in their efforts depite any harm that may befall them.
