Adhaalath holds discussions with PPM, GIP about forming coalition

President of Adhaalath Party Imran Abdullah has said that the party has held discussions with Progressive Party of Maldives (PPM) and Gaumee Itthihad Party (GIP) about forming a coalition for the upcoming presidential elections.

Imran said at a press conference today that the party council had decided that the party would not elect a presidential candidate to contest in the election, and instead form a coalition.

“The council has appointed a committee, which is mandated to hold discussions and negotiate with political parties and candidates,” he said.

Imran did not provide any details of the discussions with PPM and GIP.

He said that discussions aimed at forming a coalition will be held with all political parties except Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP).

“We are working within our mandate to hold discussions with candidates and parties and we will submit a report to the council after the discussions. After that we will decide which group we would side with, or which candidate we would support, or which coalition we would be part of,” he said.

When asked by a reporter about Adhaalath’s efforts to increase membership, Imran said that by yesterday, 3,000 forms to join the party had been submitted to Elections Commission. He said that efforts are ongoing to submit an additional 1,000 forms on Sunday, and that the party presently has 6,028 members.