The Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) and its members will always move forward, the party's leader, President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih has said.
The president's remark in a tweet on the occasion of the MDP's 18th anniversary comes after many challenges faced by the party this year. One such challenge was several senior members leaving the party.
In an address last night to mark the party's 18th anniversary, MDP chairperson Fayyaz Ismail characterized the internal strife as the most serious challenge faced by the party to date.
"The suffering caused by internal challenges is the most difficult stage a political party can endure. Patiently holding the party's interests, putting the rules of democracy at the forefront of the MDP and enduring the grief with bitter truths," Fayyaz said in a video message broadcast on MDP's Facebook page.
But President Solih did not comment on it in the tweet he posted today. After offering well wishes to members, he said the party will move forward.
"I offer well wishes and felicitations to all members on the MDP's 18th anniversary. With God's blessing, this party and its members will always go forward," the president said.
As the MDP turned 18 today, the party has won the presidential election twice. In addition to winning the last parliamentary election by a large margin, the party also won by-elections held since then.
