The main reason for the Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP)'s loss in the presidential and parliamentary elections was the division within the party, and there is no progress that can be made by trying to compensate for the pain it caused, Fayyaz Ismail has said.
He made the remarks while announcing his resignation as party Chairperson before concluding a meeting of the MDP National Council last night. Fayyaz said he had been facing challenges in running the party since announcing his interest to run in the 2028 presidential election.
"Now I believe that my interest is causing huge challenges in carrying out the work of the party. That is the truth, you [national council members] will know this very well," Fayyaz stated.
Fayyaz believes that some other party leaders who also wish to run for President have the perception that whatever he does as the Chairperson could benefit his presidential ambition. This could hinder the party's progress, he added.
He stressed that one of the most important work as Chairperson was to resolve the issue between former Presidents Ibrahim Mohamed Solih and Mohamed Nasheed and unite the party.
"I still believe that we can win the upcoming elections if we overcome the split and work together properly. I don't see any progress we can make by trying to compensate for the pain we suffered," Fayyaz said.
"I believe that political leaders should rise above such feelings. They should rise above those feelings and make decisions that will benefit the country and the people. Those leaders are you."
Fayyaz noted that it was imperative that the party be united, and that the National Council members and the party leadership should take the lead in eliminating the friction within the party and in changing that attitude of the people or members of the public.
He added that serving as the Chairperson was "a big honor" and that he would stand behind the party's advisor Solih and party's President Abdulla Shahid as a member of the National Council.
"I also assure you that as a member of the National Assembly I will continue to follow the path they show," he said.
Fayyaz, who was Economic Minister in the Solih administration from 2018 to 2023, was elected as the MDP Chairperson in May 2022.
