MDP’s ‘Laamarukazee Gulhun’ conference begins

The main opposition Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) launched its ‘Laamarukazee Gulhun’ conference in Kulhudhuffushi City on Saturday morning – with plans to hold more editions of the conference in regions across the country.

The top leadership of the MDP have gathered at Bodu Thiladhunmathi for the conference, and are scheduled to travel to different islands of the region until Tuesday.

According to the MDP, the purpose of the conference is to meet with the party’s council members from the region to share and discuss alleged attempts to undermine the authority of local councils with the recent amendments to Decentralization Act.

Photos shared by the MDP on its official X account show the conference is being attended by the party’s chairperson Fayyaz Ismail, former Maldivian vice president Faisal Naseem, Male’ City Mayor Adam Azim, and other prominent figures within the party.

ލާމަރުކަޒީ ގުޅުން - އެމްޑީޕީ ކައުންސިލަރުންގެ ކޮންފަރެންސް #LaamarukazeeGulhun pic.twitter.com/7OCuN9Xjt2

— MDP Secretariat (@MDPSecretariat) October 12, 2024

The party’s leadership will travel to multiple islands in HA. Atoll, HDh. Atoll and Sh. Atoll. The party previously said that it will also be working on drafting its new roadmap during the tour.

The government has announced plans to make more changes to the Decentralization Act, including reducing the size of councils.

In a press briefing last Tuesday, Ali Niyaz, the chair of the MDP’s decentralization committee, said that councils are deeply concerned about the planned amendments. He also reaffirmed the party’s commitment to promoting decentralization.

Niyaz added that the party hopes to use the conference as an opportunity to foster closer ties with local councils.