President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih is “making mistakes upon mistakes” and he should “head home now,” Jumhooree Party (JP) leader Qasim Ibrahim has said.
At the party’s 158th council meeting Saturday, Qasim mainly expressed his dissatisfaction with the government.
The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) has stopped the sale of Kaafu Vaavehdhi lagoon leased to Qasim's Villa group.
"...There is no point in you contesting further and saying that you will come to power. The people understand today," he said.
Qasim alleged that the sale of Vaavehdhi lagoon was stopped under direct government influence. He accused the Chief of Staff of the President's Office Ali Zahir of influencing independent institutions.
"It doesn't matter if it's the Chief of Staff or any other staff. There are things that can be done and things that must not be done. [He] calls the heads of institutions once a day and tells them not to do this,” he accused Ali Zahir.
Highlighting recent remarks by the ruling Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP)'s parliamentary group leader MP Mohamed Aslam, Qasim questioned whether the people had confidence in the President.
"Even though parliament has been locked with the use of power, it cannot bring back lost confidence," Aslam had said in connection to the standstill of parliament proceedings.
"Do the people have confidence in the President? I am sure I might be summoned to the police station tomorrow for talking like this. Let me tell you this. I don't know how long I will be alive even if they put me in there. No government has been able to go ahead without jailing me," Qasim said.
Qasim said he faces the government's persecution each time because he speaks the truth in light of the people's feelings.
Despite criticism of the President, JP is a coalition partner of the government and holds cabinet positions. Transport Minister Aishath Nahula and Fisheries Minister Dr. Hussain Rasheed Hassan are members of the JP council.
"What coalition is there? Ali Hameed also signed up for that party [MDP] out of fear... There should be some shame, even if it's Sameer or anyone else," Qasim said referring to President's Office minister Ahmed Sameer and others who recently left JP to join MDP.
MDP invited JP to endorse Solih for re-election in the upcoming September presidential election. But the party has awarded its ticket to Qasim. Qasim contested in the 2008 and 2013 elections and lost in the first round.
