Adhaalath Party is absent from the coalition

Ahmed Thaufeeq, Political Advisor to the President has said that Adhaalath Party did not participate in the "Forward with the Nation" coalition’s current campaign trip to Shaviyani atoll.

Speaking to Sun today, Thaufeeq said that the Shaviyani atoll trip was discussed amongst all leaders of the coalition.

He said that the vice presidential candidate and Dhivehi Rayyithunge Party (DRP) Leader Ahmed Thasmeen Ali had telephone Adhaalath Party President Imran Abdulla to share details of the trip and that Imran had told Thasmeen that “he will try” to allocate someone to represent Adhaath Party for the trip.

“Thasmeen discussed the matter with Sheikh Imran directly. Imran said that he will try to send someone, but he couldn’t,” Thaufeeq said.

All other parties in the coalition – Qaumee Party, Gaumee Ithihad Party and DRP – is participating in the Shaviyani campaign trip.

Thaufeeq said that he believes that “some issues within the party” had prevented Adhaalath Party from joining the trip. It was not a deliberate attempt to isolate Adhaalath Party, he said.

Forward with the Nation coalition opened campaign posts in four islands in Shaviyani atoll, namely – Kanditheemu, Funadhoo, Maroshi and Foakaidhoo, during their visits to the islands yesterday.

Adhaalath Party's noted absence from the trip follows objections by the party that the campaign is not progressing at the pace they had hoped.

Adhaalath Party council had deliberated on leaving the coalition during their last meeting, stating that camoaign activities for the coalition are less than satisfactory.