Shifaz says party leadership has failed and Nasheed’s return is the only path to revival

Former Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) Vice President Mohamed Shifaz said on Sunday that the party is now “dead” and can only be revived by handing over its leadership to former President Mohamed Nasheed.

Speaking on SSTV’s Baaru Hathareh programme, Shifaz said the public has rejected the changes the current government wants to bring, and that the opposition must instead push for the changes the people want.

Shifaz argued that the MDP’s leadership “died” two years into the current administration, saying the party’s top leadership had failed to keep it active and relevant.

“When the people say no to the change the government wants, there must be a change the people want. The biggest political party must be able to demand that change. We are trying to revive a party that is dead, the party wants to be active,” Shifaz said.

He said the country’s fortunes rise and fall with the MDP’s strength.

“Whatever happens to the MDP happens to the country. When the MDP dies, the country dies. When the party is strong, the country is strong,” he said.

Shifaz said a political party is only as strong as its management, and argued that Nasheed’s leadership would energise the MDP.

“After this chairmanship election, if President Nasheed takes over the running of this party, it will not be dormant. He won’t even let you lie back and relax. The party will be that active, he will get everyone engaged and working,” he said.

Internal tensions within the MDP escalated after the 2023 presidential primary between Nasheed and former President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih. Nasheed’s supporters later left to form The Democrats, but returned to the MDP after the PNC government came to power.

Several candidates, including Meekail Ahmed Naseem and Ibrahim Mohamed, are contesting the upcoming chairmanship election. The MDP announced the election date as June 12, but a case has been filed in the Civil Court seeking to annul the announcement and timeline, alleging it violates the party’s constitution.