Nasheed comments on Shahid joining MDP

Former President Mohamed Nasheed has said that Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) is the only party that is fully informed of everything about the Maldives, and that this is the reason behind the recent rumours about Speaker of Parliament Abdullah Shahid joining MDP.

Speaking at a rally by MDP at the intersection of Janavaree Magu and Majeedee Magu on Wednesday night, Nasheed said that everyone who wants to work with the people towards the development of the country, will join MDP.

“We know what the Maldives is. Maldivian Democratic Party knows the Maldives well. Maldivian Democratic Party is the political party that knows the history of the Maldives, the seas of the Maldives, the palm trees, and everything related to the Maldives. That’s why we hear stories about Abdullah Shahid joining us. Everyone who knows the Maldives and wants to work with the people of the Maldives towards the development of the country, will join our party,” he said.

He said that several Members of Parliament and various experts will join MDP in the near future.

Rumours have been going around on social media networks that Shahid had signed to join MDP; however, this has been refuted by some groups who have said that Shahid has not joined MDP yet, but will do so soon.

Speaking at a rally by Dhivehi Rayyithunge Party (DRP) on Wednesday night, Parliamentary Group Member of DRP Mohamed Nasheed (Colonel) said that Shahid leaving DRP would not have any effect on the party.

When asked about Shahid joining MDP, Ahmed Thasmeen Ali, Leader of DRP, said that he had not been informed of any Member of Parliament having left DRP.

In the past, rumours of DRP’s Members of Parliament joining MDP have been denied to the media by the members themselves. This time however, Shahid has neither responded to the claims, nor answered his phone when called by reporters.