Nasheed: With Fayyaz despite great number of supporters

Former President Mohamed Nasheed, on Monday night, said that despite continuing to enjoy significant public support, he remains committed to backing former MDP Chairperson Fayyaz Ismail for the presidency.

Responding to a question during SSTV's ‘Baaru Hathareh’ program, Nasheed said that there are many people who wish to see him return to power. However, he clarified that his current position remains to support Fayyaz's bid for the presidency.

When asked whether his name would be on the ballot if former President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih were to contest the MDP presidential primary, Nasheed said he saw no reason for Solih to seek the position again.

"Regardless of who contests [for the presidential ticket], I will maintain my position. No, I am supporting Fayyaz," former President Mohamed Nasheed said.

Nasheed's comments come amid speculation that a significant number of party members are urging him to contest for the MDP presidential ticket in the 2028 presidential election.

Although Nasheed and Fayyaz have traded verbal criticism in the past, the two have worked closely together for more than a year. They have jointly proposed a series of constitutional and administrative reforms under the name 'Bodu Badhalu'.

The proposed reforms include separating the positions of Head of State and Head of Government, as well as introducing significant structural changes to the People's Majlis and independent institutions.

Nasheed formally endorsed Fayyaz for the party's presidential ticket on the day the proposed reforms were unveiled. In addition to Fayyaz, there is also speculation that MDP former President Abdulla Shahid and former Vice President Faisal Naseem could be interested in contesting for the party's presidential ticket.