Hassan Latheef: We are with JP’s presidential candidate

West Henveiru MP Hassan Latheef has states that Maldivian Democratic Party’s (MDP) leader, Parliament Speaker Mohamed Nasheed and his supporters in ‘Fikuregge Dhirun’ faction are with Jumhoory Party’s (JP) leader and presidential candidate Qasim Ibrahim.

Speaking to the press following a meeting Nasheed’s faction held with JP officials at M. Kunooz on Thursday night – Hassan Latheef stated that discussions between both sides extend to a broad spectrum. On this note, he added that discussions between two or multiple parties will comprise of multiple stages.

Underscoring a schedule has been tabled for these discussions – Hassan Latheef said the schedule provides the details of the stages in which the discussions will take place. He also emphasized that Nasheed supporters, at the moment, are with JP’s presidential candidate Qasim.

“We are immersed in these discussions. At the moment, we are with Jumhoory Party’s presidential candidate. We are working in this trajectory as it is the best course of action for MDP and as we believe in the importance of incepting a government which includes MDP,” he said.

Nasheed’s representatives who took part in the meeting apart from Hassan Latheef include former managing director of State Trading Organization (STO) Hussain Amr Mohamed Rashad and former minister at the President’s Office and MDP’s Deputy Leader Mohamed Shifaz.

Hassan Latheef detailed the discussions on Thursday night surrounded the topic of the three powers of the government including, but not limited, to the characteristics these powers should ideally have. Changes that can be brought to the powers in the pursuit of improving the governance system were also explored.

Officials from JP who attended the meeting were the party’s Deputy Leader Ameen Ibrahim, Kendhoo MP Ali Hussain and advisor to JP’s leader, former Vilufushi MP Riyaz Rasheed.

Speaking to the press after the meeting – JP’s Deputy Leader Ameen noted that the party has sent separate letters to several political parties and individual candidates contesting the election extending an invitation to hold discussions with JP. In this regard, he stressed they believe the current situation of Maldives deems it important to consolidate the advice and views of many in addressing prominent issues instead of working single-handedly.

Ameen explained that Qasim’s vision was to incept a government with the participation of everyone.

“Qasim has the highest chances in the Maldives when it comes to a single candidate forming a wide coalition,” he added.

Ameen described Qasim as one of the most trustable leaders in the political arena and as the political leader who has the most potential to produce results by working alongside several political leaders and figures.

Nasheed’s ‘Fikuregge Dhirun’ faction has refused to back MDP’s presidential candidate, President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih in the election.