PPM: Primary proceedings complaint with protocol, Maumoon’s claims false

Secretary-General of Progressive Party of Maldives, MP Dr. Abdulla Khaleel has condemned the statement released by PPM’s leader, former Maldivian President Maumoon Abdul Gayoom; alleging the statement was issued with the intent of harm to the party.

Maumoon issued a statement saying that even though PPM announced its primary for the upcoming Local Council Election will be held on January 27, PPM’s elections committee was unaware of it.

Maumoon said the primary for January 27 was announced in violation of PPM’s Constitution, which charges the leader of PPM with heading all internal elections.

In a press conference held by PPM this Wednesday, January 18, MP Khaleel said that PPM now considered the elections committee compiled by its council as legitimate, and that arrangements to hold the primary was being made by the committee.

He said that the power to appoint people to positions on behalf of PPM now lay with President Abdulla Yameen Abdul Gayoom – who is the advisor of the party.

MP Khaleel condemned the statement issued by Maumoon, and said that such claims were detrimental to the future of the party.

“I see this as attempts made to violate the spirit of unity and spirit of working towards growth of the party stated in the party’s Constitution,” said MP Khaleel.

The rift between President Yameen and Maumoon has led to two factions forming within PPM; those loyal to President Yameen and those loyal to Maumoon.

Court has ordered that President Yameen be put in charge of running PPM, stripping powers from Maumoon.