JP should be included in government: Gasim

President Abdulla Yameen Abdul Gayoom should include Jumhoory Party (JP) in government, JP leader Gasim Ibrahim has said at a pre-Ramadan dinner at M. Kunoozu on Saturday night.

Speaking to Sun Online after the event, Gasim said that JP made a considerable contribution to elect President Yameen and therefore must have a say in government.

The coalition agreement between JP and the ruling Progressive Party of Maldives (PPM) was dissolved after Gasim Ibrahim stood for parliament speakership on 28 May against the the ruling party's wishes.

“I believe Abdulla Yameen received votes under a coalition agreement. We believe we must be included in government, because that was the pact we made, and the people voted because that’s how things would be,” said Gasim Ibrahim.

Despite public statements by President Yameen that PPM is open for talks, the party has not invited JP for discussion regarding the dissolution of the coalition agreement, Gasim said.

“Articles 8, 1 and 2 of our agreement says that we must discuss a matter in the event of disagreement. It does not say anything about the agreement being dissolved. The agreement will continue until 11 November 2018,” said the JP leader.

Speaking to Sun Online at Kunoozu on Saturday night, Gasim repeatedly urged PPM to come to the negotiating table and said that refusal to talk is “abusive and derogatory” behavior.