The leadership of the opposition Progressive Congress coalition has guaranteed supporters that they are united behind jailed former President Abdulla Yameen.
The coalition is formed between the largest opposition party, the Progressive Party of Maldives (PPM) and its sister party, the People's National Congress (PNC).
Their leader Yameen was barred from contesting in the September 9 presidential election due to his jail sentence for bribery and money laundering.
The ticket was later awarded to Male' City Mayor Dr. Mohamed Muizzu but some sources suggest there are rifts between Yameen and his former housing minister.
Speaking at a press conference at PPM headquarters Friday, Muizzu's spokesperson Mohamed Tholal denied the rumors.
“Everyone in our leadership is going to their constituency and different people are working in different directions,” he said, noting that the opposition coalition is united.
"We stand firmly behind President Yameen."
Referring to an article published on Adhadhu on Thursday, Tholal branded it as fake news and anti-campaigning.
“They want to divide us, divide our leaders. They are claiming some of our leaders are the sources,” he said.
Several senior figures of PPM earlier told Adhadhu that Yameen was unhappy with comments made by Muizzu during his appearance on Etherefuh program.
Sources who were inside a courtroom while Yameen spoke on the matter provided the information to Adhadhu. The sources are close allies of Yameen.
Some PPM leaders called Adhadhu and confirmed the credibility of the story after it was published on Thursday night.
"Muizzu said in an interview recently that he will govern if elected, not Yameen. What is this? I am not necessarily saying anything, but with our party's situation today, Muizzu will lose votes if they go out without me," Yameen was quoted as saying by the sources.
After making the remarks, Yameen lashed out at Muizzu. He described Muizzu as an unpopular politician.
"Does anyone even know Muizzu? Does anyone even know Muizzu? Has he ever left Male' [to visit the atolls]? So tell Muizzu, you can tell Saeed, you can tell Tom, Muizzu is shooting himself in the foot," Yameen said referring to some leaders who reportedly support Muizzu over Yameen.
