The opposition coalition expressed their gratitude towards Mohamed Nasheed’s ‘Fikuregge Dhirun’ faction for their support during the Guraidhoo parliamentary by-election. Despite the ruling Maldivian Democratic Party’s (MDP) candidate, Ibrahim Shaaz, winning by a significant margin of over 100 votes, the opposition still appreciated Nasheed’s faction’s efforts to secure a win for PPM, even though it meant going against their own party.
PNC’s parliamentary group leader, Adam Shareef Umar, submitted a resolution urging the government to control the prices of goods and services during Ramadan. Shareef congratulated the ruling party on their win in the by-election but also acknowledged those who worked to ensure PPM’s victory, including those who voted for the party’s candidate.
Earlier, MDP’s chairperson and Economic Minister, Fayyaz Ismail, accused some members of the party’s leadership of colluding with its opponents in the election. Fayyaz claimed to have received information that some senior MDP officials instructed Guraidhoo constituents to vote against their own candidate. Despite these accusations and Nasheed’s faction’s efforts, MDP’s candidate emerged victorious.
Nasheed’s ‘Fikuregge Dhirun’ faction reportedly plans to work against MDP in the upcoming presidential elections by endorsing Jumhoory Party’s (JP) presidential candidate, Qasim Ibrahim, and negotiating a coalition agreement with JP. This move is likely to further divide the ruling party and may have consequences in future elections. Despite MDP’s previous decision not to take action against Nasheed’s faction for collaborating with other parties, the opposition coalition’s actions could have lasting implications.
