PPM-PNC confirms discussions with third party

Progressive Party of Maldives (PPM) and People’s National Congress (PNC) has provided confirmation the coalition is engaged in discussions with another political party.

Member of PNC’s interim executive committee and former secretary-general of PPM, Mohamed Hussain Shareef (Mundhu) has confirmed the PPM-PNC Coalition is engaged in discussions with another political party, as part of which the coalition has agreed to drop out from contesting in the parliamentary elections in a number of electoral districts.

“We will disclose the details to the media once the discussions between the two sides are concluded. We engaged in discussions with the political party which have us the green-signal in our communications with political parties,” said Mundhu.

Mundhu’s statement fuels unconfirmed reports PPM has formed a coalition with Jumhoory Party (JP).

Mundhu also provided confirmation the PPM-PNC Coalition was withdrawing tickets issued to its some of its candidates, and will be endorsing candidates from the mystery party for the districts.

“A full list of all the candidates and the districts will be released at a later date,” said Mundhu.

The candidates who PPM and PNC have withdrawn support to include its candidate for the A. A. Mathivari district, Layaal Manik.

‘Sun’ has been informed through sources PPM has formed an understanding with JP, as part of which PPM has agreed to drop out of the parliamentary race in 25 districts.

The number of districts JP has agreed to drop out of is unconfirmed at this point, but ‘Sun’ has been informed JP has called several of its nominees to inform them of the decision to withdraw the party’s support - something which JP denies.