Yameen calls for a public vote over the presence of Indian military personnel in Maldives

Opposition leader, former President Abdulla Yameen Abdulla Gayyoom has urged cast a vote to identify public views regarding the stationing of Indian military personnel in the Maldives.

Speaking at a rally held as part of the opposition coalition’s ‘India Out’ campaign at K. Thulusdhoo – Yameen said that India is a neighbor that has always provided assistance to Maldives in multiple arenas at times of need.

However, he said that this is not a reason for Indian military personnel to be stationed in the Maldives in a manner that threatens the independence and sovereignty of the country.

“This is by no means something which can be weighted equally. If we cannot go for medical purposes, then we will just stay. We will find alternate ways to fend our needs,” he added.

Speaking further, Yameen said that the debates made by ruling party, MDP, members against the ‘India Out’ campaign do not make any sense. Also in reference to a statement made by Parliament Speaker Mohamed Nasheed saying that “’India Out’ cannot be said’ – is not something which can be said.

“What Speaker Nasheed said was that ‘India Out’ cannot be said, instead to say ‘India Military Out’. Therefore, he also believes that Indian military needs to be removed. Is that not what he said?” he had said.

Noting that a significant number of Maldivian people are against Indian military personnel being stationed in the Maldives – Yameen called onto to take a public vote to establish their views.

“One person is working on identifying how the public feels about a parliamentarian system. But, before a parliamentary system nor any other system can be implemented here, we need to identify the public views and opinions regarding the stationing of Indian military here. This is the vote that should be taken,” he had said.

He added that this vote will also serve as evidence of how much support the government currently has – and that if this vote is taken now, Indian military will be removed.