Why the double standard, asks former President

Former President Maumoon Abdul Qayyoom has written a two-page letter to President Mohamed Nasheed, asking him why he is adopting a double standard in dealing with the issue of disrupting the People’s Majlis, the legislative organ of the Maldivian state.

“… There is a question that I would like to ask you in relation to the conflict. A while ago, Members of Parliament from MDP (Maldivian Democratic Party) continuously disrupted Majlis sessions, and you did not take any measures or actions to stop that. However, you are taking action against Members of Parliament who belong to DRP, PA, Jumhoory Party and Qawmee Party when they do the same in protest. Why are you doing that?”, the letter read.

Yesterday, an impromptu meeting of MDP National Council passed a declaration, stating that “Kinbigasdhoshuge Maumoon was disrupting the sessions of People’s Majlis while hiding behind the scene.”

Maumoon’s letter answered the accusation, denying that he had given any instructions to Members of Parliament who have continuously disrupted Majlis sittings. He said that some MPs from DRP, PA, Jumhoory Party and Qawmee Party had been doing it in response to the way in which a meeting of the Majlis was convened and conducted.

Maumoon also wrote that “I have told Mr. Ibrahim Hussein Zaki that I do not interfere with anything that goes on in the People’s Majlis, and that I have not given any instructions or advice to any MP about anything that is happening there. This is the truth, and I have communicated this via Mr. Adam Naeem to your Cabinet Secretary.”

Sun tried to contact Mohamed Zuhair, Press Secretary at the President’s Office, and Ibrahim Hussein Zaki, President’s Special Envoy and Political Adviser, but has not been able to.