Fayyaz: Learned MDP’s inactiveness from visiting 115 islands

Economic Minister Fayyaz Ismail, who is contesting for the post of Maldivian Democratic Party’s (MDP) Chairperson, has stated that he has visited a total of 115 islands as part of his campaign during which he learned the inactiveness of the party.

Speaking at a campaign event held at K. Himmafushi yesterday, Fayyaz said that a common complaint raised by members of MDP residing on islands was how significantly isolated they are from the party’s activities.

“We have visited 115 islands. The concern raised from each island is the lack of a connection between the party and its members,” he had said.

Fayyaz also noted another complaint raised to be the inactiveness MDP’s branches and campaign hall established on islands. He added that these things need to be changed in order to make the party more active.

Fayyaz’s remarks come at a time MDP’s leader, Parliament Speaker Mohamed Nasheed had strongly criticized him in the party’s National Council Whatsapp group.

In this regard, Nasheed stated that MDP has always been an active party and that they would never fade away to the background.  

Criticizing Fayyaz’s campaign slogan ‘MDP Hingaalan’ – he said that changing former President Maumoon Abdul Gayyoom’s 30-year-long administration was only possible due to the strength of MDP.

Nasheed also attributed succeeding in 2018’s election to MDP’s strength – in grand return after his administration was overthrown by a “coup” and party leaders were jailed.

He added that the Progressive Party of Maldives (PPM), Adhaalath Party (AP), Jumhoory Party (JP) and Elections Commission (EC) were also in operation because of MDP.

The most highly contested seat in the upcoming MDP elections is that of the party’s chairperson. The seat is being contested by Fayyaz and North Maafannu MP Imthiyaz Fahmy (Inthi).

Some believe the election is also a competition between President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih and Nasheed. Fayyaz is believed to be backed by the President, while Inthi is believed to be backed by Nasheed.