MDP participation necessary for a national unity government: DRP

Dhivehi Rayyithunge Party (DRP) has said that Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) should be allowed participation in the government, for the Maldives to have a national unity government.

Deputy Leader of DRP Ibrahim Shareef made this statement at a press conference held at DRP Office today.

He welcomed MDP’s request to join the government but stressed, however, that MDP’s current policies are not suitable for it to participate in a unity government.

“Considering the problems, pain and troubles the people of Maldives have had to go through over the past six months, DRP does not believe that MDP can, with its current policies, contribute to a unity government in this country,” Shareef said.

Shareef said that nonetheless, a national unity government must include MDP, and thus urged MDP to be more sincere in their efforts.

“The best thing for the country at present would be to reform MDP in order to establish a unity government,” he said.

Shareef, who used to belong to MDP, said that the current government has been under intense pressure from the international community for the past six months due to doubts in relation to its legitimacy; and that we should now ponder over why this happened, and why MDP chose to stick to strict policies.

Shareef accused Progressive Party of Maldives (PPM) of contributing adversely to this situation, by claiming that it is the biggest political party in the Maldives.

Shareef said that PPM also tried to shape the political situation of the Maldives according to their wishes, by creating political rivalry and division in society through the spread of baseless rumours.

He said that DRP’s politicians in the government are denied several opportunities, and are faced with pressure from various parties.

Even though Shareef makes these comments, President Dr Mohamed Waheed has appointed members of DRP to Minister, Deputy Minister and State Minister posts of the government.

Several parties in the coalition government have spoken out against the inclusion of MDP in the current government.