Galolhu South MP Meekail Naseem has said that his bid for the Chairperson position of the Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) is not motivated by a desire for a share of the "state pie," but rather to bring about the long-awaited reforms sought by general members and to secure a victory for the MDP candidate in the 2028 presidential election.
Meekail officially submitted his candidacy yesterday for the MDP chairperson election scheduled for June 12. He is set to compete against former President Mohamed Nasheed, who has previously served as the President and Chairperson of the MDP.
Speaking at a campaign rally held at the MDP campaign hall last night, Meekail criticised the operations of MDP and highlighted the failure to establish a sustainable system to pay the party’s office rent even after 20 years of existence.
He also pledged to resolve the recurring uncertainty surrounding party assets and inventory during elections by establishing a robust management system. Meekail emphasized that the party’s database is not the private property of any individual and should not be compromised or lost when a Chairperson resigns.
"I am not here to see what I can get when the state pie is being divided. I am here to ensure that the heart and pulse of the general members are felt within the air-conditioned rooms of the party office," Meekail said.
"I will build a transparent MDP that you can be proud of and trust."
Without naming Nasheed or former Chairperson Fayyaz Ismail directly, Meekail claimed that an individual who aligns themselves with a specific person and declares there is no other presidential candidate cannot hold a fair primary.
His remarks follow Nasheed’s announcement of his candidacy for Chairperson, during which he endorsed Fayyaz for the party ticket ahead of the 2028 presidential election.
Addressing comments from Nasheed’s faction labelling him as "too young," Meekail said that while some might characterize his views as those of a politically immature youth, he remains determined to reform the party with youthful vigor.
He also urged his supporters to refrain from mocking or harassing opponents during the heat of the campaign.
