Parliament speaker and former president Mohamed Nasheed has congratulated Jumhooree Party (JP) leader Qasim Ibrahim for guaranteeing the party’s ticket for the September 9 presidential election.
“I congratulate honourable Qasim Ibrahim for guaranteeing the Jumhooree Party presidential candidate ticket. All of us are responsible to ensure a free and fair election,” Nasheed said in a tweet on Saturday.
Nasheed has been embroiled in a leadership dispute within the ruling Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) since his defeat to president Ibrahim Mohamed Solih in the party primary for the presidential ticket in January.
Following the defeat, he formed the Fikurehge Dhirun faction inside MDP and held some discussions with JP and Qasim to work together.
According to reports, Nasheed suggested changing the system of governance to a parliamentary system and Qasim opposed the proposal.
In an interview with his private tv station, Qasim heavily criticised Nasheed and accused the former president of trying to use him as a “tool to come back to power.”
“I know what president Nasheed is talking about. I know president Nasheed very well. He will not agree to see anyone other than himself as the leader of this country.”
Nasheed remains the president of MDP but many of his supporters, including 13 MPs, have left the party and are now working to form The Democrats which announced they would field a candidate to contest the elections.
