Decision on which candidate to support in second round will be made by the party: Gasim

Presidential candidate of Jumhooree Party (JP) Gasim Ibrahim has said that if JP does not make it to the second round of the presidential election, the decision on which candidate to support in the second round will be made by the party’s steering committee, and not by him alone.

Gasim said this while speaking at a press conference at Maafannu Kunooz today.

“I can’t make that decision alone. If it’s JP, it has to be decided by JP’s steering committee; if it’s Jumhooree Coalition, it has to be decided as agreed by all members of the coalition. It’s not my decision,” he said.

Gasim denied the rumours that Jumhooree Coalition has decided to support Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) in the second round.

He said that depending on the circumstances, the party might decide to back any candidate.

When asked if the steering committee might decide to support MDP, Gasim said, “Whether to join MDP or not, or whether to join PPM or not – this will be discussed when we are faced with that situation. I don’t want to say anything right now. When we are faced with the situation,” he said.

Following the annulment of the result of the first round of the presidential election, Gasim said that if he does not agree with the party council’s decision on which candidate to support in the second round, he will leave the party.

Despite refusing to say that he will not support MDP, Gasim has severely criticised MDP presidential candidate Mohamed Nasheed on several occasions.

Gasim has condemned the arrest of Chief Judge of Criminal Court Abdulla Mohamed by Nasheed’s government, as well as the calls by MDP to boycott the tourism industry.

Gasim has also apologised to the public for helping Nasheed win the presidential election in 2008.