Willing to become a presidential candate's running mate: Umar

Umar Naseer has said that he is willing to become a running mate of a presidential candidate during the upcoming presidential elections, if he wins the Progressive Party of Maldives (PPM) presidential primary.

Umar, who had previously said that he will form a wide coalition for the presidential election, has praised President Dr. Mohamed Waheed Hassan Manik, Jumhoory Party Leader Gasim Ibrahim and the Adhaalath Party leadership. He said that he had “always had a close relationship” with President Waheed, that Jumhoory Party Leader Gasim Ibrahim has been his long term friend, and that Adhaalath Party’s “ideology” is in line with his own.

Mentioning names and political parties, Umar said that he is “ripe and ready” to form a coalition, and said that he is willing to follow another presidential candidate as a running mate, although he might also be seen a presidential candidate as well.

“It is possible that you might see me as a running mate. It is also possible that you might see me as a candidate. Nothing is closed,” Umar said speaking at DhiTV’s Khabaruthereyn program.

Asked if it is possible that the leaders who have pledged their support to the government might relinquish their presidential candidacy for the sake of a coalition, Umar said that that the leaders understand that their country is larger than themselves and that they are aware that “the threat of Mohamed Nasheed” still remains and that the leaders will prioritize the interests of country above their own.

Regarding the participation of Home Minister Dr. Mohamed Jameel Ahmed in Umar’s opponent Yameen’s campaign rally, Umar said that those who had “stabbed him in the back” while Dhivehi Rayyithunge Party (DRP) was in power will also be welcome.

“They are people who were previously with us. When Maumoon was leading DRP, they left DRP when things tough, and they return when the dust has settled. [Dr. Jameel joining Yameen’s team] It is not our loss. Even if it is Jameel, or [Kulhudhffushi-South MP] Mohamed Nasheed, I will welcome them,” Umar said.