date_range
Monday 25 Nov 2024
LOCAL EDITION
close
LOCAL EDITION
PNC leader Abdul Raheem Abdulla (C) speaks to the press at Hulhumale' Phase II on December 9, 2021. (Photo/PPM)
The opposition coalition, composed of PPM and PNC, has announced it will hold its weekend event titled 'Kotharu Koshi’ at the Alimas Carnival area in Male’ City, after facing obstacles in holding the event in suburban Hulhumale’ as originally planned.
The gathering had originally been scheduled to be held at the Hiyaa Park – located in the area in Hulhumale’ Phase II where the Hiyaa towers are located.
However, the opposition had faced obstacles from Housing Development Corporation (HDC) and the police in holding the event at the location.
They later announced that the event would be held at the Usfasgandu area in Male’ City.
However, the opposition coalition’s spokesperson Heena Waleed said on Thursday evening that the government had informed the coalition that the land belonged to the state, and would not provide electricity to the area.
She said the opposition coalition had therefore decided to hold the event at the Alimas Carnival area.
In a press conference earlier Thursday, PNC leader Abdul Raheem Abdulla accused the government of deliberately obstructing the opposition’s political activities.
The event is scheduled to start at 08:30 pm on Friday. The opposition has invited “all citizens who treasure Maldives’ independence” to attend the event.
Shortly after the opposition announced its event on Tuesday, HDC said in a statement that any event in Hulhumale’ required prior written permission from the corporation, and that the opposition had not asked for permission to hold the gathering.
However, the opposition coalition said they had written permission from the Male' City Council - dominated by the opposition - to hold the event, and did not believe they required permission from any other institution.
They continued to make preparations at the Hiyaa Park.
On Wednesday, the city council passed the decision to terminate the land registry for Hulhumale’ awarded to HDC, and moved the suburb to under the council’s jurisdiction.
