There are challenges in operating the opposition Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) and some people may not want to operate the party with him in the leadership, MDP Chairperson Fayyaz Ismail said.

Several amendments were proposed to the party constitution during a national council meeting on Wednesday night. But some members called for the amendments to be proposed to a congress meeting.

In response, Fayyaz said the reforms were necessary to continue the operations of the party, but some people may not want the party to operate under his leadership.

"We don't see a way to hold a congress son soon immediately. But as you know, in our roadmap, we are talking about holding a congress early next year or in the middle of next year. But bringing these changes next year could slow down the party operations," he said.

"Some people may not want the party to be functional under my leadership. But we have to change these things," he added.

Fayyaz further talked about challenges in operating the party, but said he was not worried it.

"There are challenges I have in running this party on the country's Twitter and elsewhere. And there will certainly be people everywhere who will encourage it. But I am not too worried about it," he stated.

The changes proposed to the party constitution include the formation of constituency executive committees and island executive committees. It also includes the establishment of a consultative council appointed by the national council, with members who have previously served the party.

Members who were opposed to passing the proposals at a national council meeting include Kelaa Constituency President Ibrahim Shareef and Kudahuvadhoo Constituency President Shathir Abdul Rahman.

"The national council has 121 members. But you just announced that the quorum is 30. There are not many people here but the quorum is met. So if we vote for such an amendment in such a meeting, we are disregarding the party constitution," Shareef said.

However, most members said it is not a problem to amend the constitution in a meeting of the national council. They include former Defense Minister Mariya Ahmed Didi. She said the national council had already set a precedent of amending the constitution.

The island executive committee and a consultative council were approved at Wednesday night's meeting.