Meekail vows to remain loyal to MDP, regardless of election outcome

Meekail Ahmed Naseem states that he will remain in service of the Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP), irrespective of the outcome of the upcoming chairpersonship election.

Meekail, the incumbent parliamentary representative for South Galolhu constituency, is running for the chairpersonship role against former Maldivian president Mohamed Nasheed and Ibrahim Mohamed (Waadu).

Speaking at a press conference on Sunday afternoon, Meekail, whose campaign is based on the core motif of ‘Ithubaaru’ or ‘Trust’, told reporters that he recently visited 19 islands of B. Atoll as part of his campaign.

He said that all MDP members he met during the trips hope to see the party remain unfractured.

Meekail said that the members he met in all islands asked whether his “rival candidates” would remain with the party after the elections.

“I am truly sad to hear this question, whether we will remain with the party based on the outcome of the internal elections, being asked by grassroots members as the MDP marks its 20th anniversary in 2026. I believe this question is arising because the party is in a poor state indeed,” he said.

Meekail said that decision by “some” to leave the MDP after its 2023 presidential primaries had resulted in loss of trust within the party.

He believes members have a valid reason to question whether Nasheed will remain with the MDP if the chairpersonship election doesn’t go in his favor.

“However, I want to once again reassure you that, regardless of whatever the outcome of the elections is, we will remain, as we have always been, in this party and in service of this party’s members,” he said.

Criticizing his closest rival Nasheed, Meekail said the former Maldivian leader was promoting a manifesto for the 2028 presidential primary, which has nothing to do with making internal changes within the MDP.

He said that the ‘Ithubaaru’ campaign, set to be officially launched on Thursday, was one that revives the party’s spirit and strengthens it.

Meekail said that the MDP needs a chairperson who remains true to their values and sticks to their word.

MDP is scheduled to hold its chairpersonship election in June 12. However, a lawsuit was filed against the party with the Civil Court last week, seeking to amend the election timeline. The court has yet to register the case.