11,000 new members join PPM

11,000 signed up to join Progressive Party of Maldives (PPM) from Male’ City and the atolls during the campaign by the ruling party to boost its numbers.

The event was run from Thaajuddin School on Saturday by key PPM activists, as well as Cabinet ministers, members of People’s Majlis, and heads of State corporations.

The 11,000 application forms were collected and handed over to First Lady Fathimath Ibrahim.

Speaking during the function held at Thaajuddin School on Saturday night to celebrate the success of the campaign, Minister of Economic Development, Mohamed Saeed said that the 11,000 new applicants proved there was no chance the opposition can ever come back to power.

“These 11,000 forms are saying don’t have a single chance anymore. Because the Maldivian people no longer want this country to die,” said Minister Saeed.

He said the priority given by President Abdulla Yameen Abdul Gayoom to the youth of the country was of vital importance. And that the youth of the country were the base for sustainable development.

He also said that the boost in number of PPM members ensured the party a win in presidential elections in 2018 and 2023.

“Today, the country once more – from Male’ alone – its saying that 2018 and even 2023 is ripe for taking by President Yameen,” said Minister Saeed.

Saeed said that Maldives cannot be a model Islamic nation under Maldivian Democratic Party’s rule with the former President Mohamed at the helm, nor under the rule of former President Maumoon Abdul Gayoom or any other party.

He said that there was none better than President Yameen for the job.

Meanwhile, Minister of Environment and Energy, Toriq Ibrahim said that 60 percent of the new application forms came from former members of MDP.

He challenged that the rest of the members of MDP will join PPM soon.