Usfasgandu given to MDP for three months again

Male’ City Council has once again given Usfasgandu to Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP), before the end of the notice period given by the council to the party to vacate the area.

Male’ City Council Mayor Maizan Ali Manik told Sun Online today that this decision was made following a request filed by MDP in this regard during the period given to the party by the council to vacate the area. He said that no other party had requested for Usfasgandu.

“Usfasgandu is a place where a large number of Maldivians gather to voice their opinions, and MDP requested for the area in accordance with existing policies. MDP has said that the area will be used by the people to express their opinions, rather than by the party to advocate its ideology. […] So as no other party has requested for Usfasgandu, we decided to give it to MDP,” said the Mayor of Male’ City Council, in which MDP holds majority.

Meanwhile, Housing Ministry had given notice to City Council to empty the area, which has been disregarded by the council. Both the government and the council have taken the matter of Usfasgandu to court on several occasions.

The 30 days given by City Council to MDP earlier to vacate the area would be up on 24 March. The council said back then that it notified MDP to vacate Usfasgandu in order to implement projects to develop the area. The council had also decided that it would not lease the area to political parties.