MDP condemns President Waheed

Former President Mohamed Nasheed’s Maldivian Democratic Party (MDO) has vehemently criticized and condemned Mohamed Waheeduddin, the current President’s nomination as his Deputy.

President Waheed nominated Mohamed Waheeduddin, owner of Bandos Island Resort, and one of the prominent business tycoons of the country, as his Deputy yesterday, saying that he wanted someone who was politically neutral and aware of the nation’s real problems.

MDP leaders condemned Waheeduddin and criticized his nomination as the Deputy President in a party rally held last night at Artificial Beach.

While MDP’s Parliamentary Group member Mohamed Mustafa called upon Waheeduddin to reject his nomination, many others who spoke at the gathering accused Waheeduddin of having being bribed into becoming part of the new government. They also accused him of being part of the “rebellion” that brought an end to MDP leader Nasheed’s presidency on the 7th of this month.

Hassan Latheef, Minister of Youth in the administration of Nasheed, said that Waheeduddin had “supported the rebellion” that opposition sides perpetrated to oust Nasheed.

MDP member of Malé City Council Adam “Sarangu” Manik said that Waheeduddin was “running after money”. Sarangu said that Waheeduddin accepted a cabinet position in 2003 also due to “his greed for money” and that we are “seeing the same thing happening again”.

“I would insist that Waheeduddin has been pocketed in return for money”, said Sarangu.

While Waheeduddin’s nomination as Deputy President stands to be approved by the People’s Majlis, MDP parliamentarian Mustafa, during his speech last night’s rally, threatened that “no sessions of the Majlis could be conducted unless this rebel government steps down”.

MDP leader Nasheed’s presidency came to an end, when the people’s prolonged protests against outright violations against the constitution and laws of the country were finally joined by the Maldives Police Service and the Maldives National Defence Force on the 7th of this month. When Nasheed resigned from office, his Deputy Waheed was sworn in, as prescribed by the Constitution.

Nasheed promised a peaceful transition, but only a day later, went back on his word and started a campaign of violent opposition to the new government. Nasheed’s party activists have since, reportedly, caused more than 250 million Rufiyaa worth damage to public and private property in various parts of the country through destruction and arson of court buildings, police stations, and private property of opposition leaders. Also, Nasheed and his party have insisted that Nasheed’s presidency was ended with a rebellion, and that the current government is a “gang of rebels”.