Hoarafushi MP Ahmed Rasheed joins JP

Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) member Hoarafushi MP Ahmed Rasheed has joined Jumhooree Party (JP) moments ago.

Ahmed Rasheed signed the membership form to join JP at a ceremony held at the JP Office today, which was also attended by JP Leader Gasim Ibrahim.

Speaking at the ceremony, he said that his ideals changed with the formation of a coalition government, and that he has since wanted to join the coalition government.

He said that he wants to see development for the country, and that this can only be done by voting for candidates representing the coalition government.

Speaking at the ceremony, Gasim Ibrahim said that even as a member of MDP, Ahmed Rasheed had provided valuable services to the country such as working to strengthen democracy.

Gasim said that JP’s policy is to allow incumbent MPs to contest in the upcoming parliamentary election for the same constituency without a primary, which means that Ahmed Rasheed will contest for Hoarafushi seat on JP’s ticket.

When asked if Progressive Party of Maldives (PPM) and Maldives Development Alliance (MDA) have agreed to Ahmed Rasheed contesting in the election for Hoarafushi seat on JP’s ticket, Gasim said, “I think that sitting MPs of our party should be given the ticket. I will argue for this.”

Ahmed Rasheed said that MDP members will be shocked by his defection from the party, but at the moment, increasing government coalition representation in the parliament is more important.

“I campaigned for MDP until the very last minute at the presidential election. But the people chose a coalition government for the next five years. This is one reason why I joined JP. The other reason is that the Leader of JP is sincere and works for the benefit of the people,” he said.

Ahmed Rasheed said that he was not bribed into joining JP, and that he would never be involved in such an act.