Umar: MDP hijacked by anti-religious individuals

The first political founded in recent Maldivian history – Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) – has been hijacked by individuals with anti-religious sentiments – led by former Maldivian President Mohamed Nasheed, says Umar Naseer.

Umar made the declaration in a statement he released congratulating MDP members on the party’s 12-year anniversary.

Umar wrote in the statement that MDP had been founded at an opportune time, but that few with anti-religious sentiments had “hijacked” the party soon after its conception.

He accused former Maldivian President Mohamed Nasheed - one of the founders of MDP and its first Chairperson – of being behind the “hijacking”.

Umar said a lot of politicians had tried to save MDP from Nasheed’s clutches, but each and every one of them had been kicked out from the party.

“Three of the party’s elected leaders – Ibrahim Ismail, Dr. Munawwar and Dr. Didi attempted to save it from the hijacking. They are esteemed politicians. But all three of them were unseated,” wrote Umar.

He also alleged defiance of Nasheed to be the reason behind the ousting of long-term MDP member MP Reeko Moosa Manik as well as former MP Alhaan Fahmy.

Umar said Nasheed and his team did not stand a chance if a free and fair election was held within MDP.

When asked for a comment regarding Umar’s statement, MDP’s Chairperson Hassan Latheef responded that the work by MDP within the past 12 years had the acceptance and approval of the majority of the Maldivian people – evident from the results of the last Local Council Election.