Opposition accuses MDP of anti-campaigning ‘because they know they will lose’

Opposition PPM-PNC coalition’s campaign spokesperson Mohamed Tholal has accused the main ruling MDP of anti-campaigning “because they clearly know they will not be able to win”.

Tholal made accusations after some media outlets reported that the jailed opposition leader, former president Abdul Yameen Abdul Gayyoom had directed ‘angry words’ at the opposition coalition’s presidential candidate Dr. Mohamed Muizzu.

Speaking at a press conference on Friday, Muizzu said the media reports were a result of MDP’s anti-campaigning.

“MDP decided to hold a press conference, and prepared the writings within the President’s Office yesterday and disseminated it. MDP had to fall to this level because they know they have lost this election,” he alleged.

Tholal described the alleged anti-campaigning as an attempt to create divisions within the opposition coalition. He also strongly refuted rumors that some top officials of the coalition were against Muizzu.

“If (Muizzu) did not have President Yameen’s support, will his lawyers, accompanying Muizzu on campaign trips to their constituencies? Apart from this, other officials are carrying out campaign events in different regions,” he said.

Tholal named some top officials from the coalition as individuals who would refrain from certain things if directly instructed by Yameen. They include PNC’s leader Abdul Raheem Abdulla, PNC’s deputy leader Ibrahim Sujau, Maavah MP, former Economic Minister Mohamed Saeed and Mahibadhoo MP Ahmed Thorir (Tom). He pointed out that all these individuals have taken a lead role in Muizzu’s campaign.

“All these things, all these rumors are from MDP, because they know and have also accepted they will lose this election,” he added.

Tholal also called upon the Elections Commission to stop all anti-campaign efforts.