Nasheed attends PNC congress as guest in rare appearance by former president

Former President and MDP Chairman Mohamed Nasheed attended the ruling PNC’s congress on Tuesday as an invited guest.

The PNC congress, which began on Tuesday, has brought together council presidents, Women’s Development Committee representatives and other delegates who have travelled to Malé for the event. The congress will continue from Tuesday through Friday.

Leaders of political parties were invited to the official session of the congress, as is customary. In addition to the MDP, the session was attended by leaders of the MNP and the Adhaalath Party. However, this marks the first time a former ruler has attended another party’s congress event.

President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu welcomed and greeted Nasheed at the gathering. It is noteworthy that Nasheed had previously attended the swearing-in ceremony of former President Abdulla Yameen Abdul Gayoom as well, marking him as a remarkable politician.

The MDP is the second-largest political party in the country after the PNC, and the main opposition. The PNC currently has 67,579 registered members, according to the Elections Commission, while the party leadership maintains that its membership has surpassed 70,000.

The PNC congress was officially inaugurated by President Muizzu on Tuesday. The congress will also elect the party’s vice presidents, among other key decisions.