Yameen: President Muizzu is able to breathe because MDP is slacking off, it needs to be stronger

President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu is able to breathe because the Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) is slacking off, says former President Abdulla Yameen Abdul Gayoom, stressing the need for the main opposition party to grow stronger.

In May, Yameen, along with former presidents Ibrahim Mohamed Solih and Mohamed Nasheed formed an alliance to work against President Muizzu in defense of press freedom. Both MDP and Yameen’s People’s National Front (PNF) have agreed to support the efforts.

At a town hall rally on Sunday night by PNF, Yameen said he was satisfied with the work being carried out by his party against the incumbent administration.

“We are seeing results from elections. Therefore, the efforts producing results,” he said.

“I don’t see any future in their [the government’s] work. Whether it’s the Fitch ratings on the economy, a by-election or anything else… We aren’t seeing any progress, are we?”

He said that President Muizzu’s administration has been suffering defeat in everything it does.

Yameen said that the time has come for the MDP, the country’s largest opposition party, to work to the level of PNF.

He questioned why the MDP wasn’t.

“The MDP is officially the Maldives’ opposition. Why isn’t the MDP carrying out this work? They need to get organized. Their party boasts a huge membership, and have knowledgeable individuals among them,” he said.

Yameen said that President Muizzu is “able to breathe” because the MDP is slacking off.

He said that he was therefore proud of the work being carried out by the PNF, which has far fewer members.

Yameen urged MDP to strengthen itself.

“We now see that Muizzu is able to breathe because MDP is being so slack. Because they aren’t doing the work,” he said.

During a campaign rally last Friday, Nasheed, who is running for MDP’s chairpersonship, said that President Muizzu’s administration wants to keep the MDP in a slumber. He said that he planned to wake the party from its slumber and reactive it.

His closest rival Meekail Ahmed Naseem, backed by Solih, has also been campaigning on the promise to revive the party’s spirit.

The criticism that the MDP has grown lethargic is something that politicians have repeatedly expressed concern. The MDP believes the election of a new chairperson will help strengthen the party.