I considered the candidate who

Leader of Dhivehi Rayyithunge Party (DRP) Ahmed Thasmeen Ali has said that he decided to back Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) candidate Mohamed Nasheed in the presidential runoff after carefully considering which of the two candidates would harbour a leaser sense of retribution towards him and his party, when they gain power.

Ahmed Thasmeen Ali ran as the running mate for President Dr. Mohamed Waheed Hassan Manik for the first round of the presidential polls. After facing a bitter defeat and gaining just about 5 percent of the polls, Thasmeen decided to join MDP for the run off.

Speaking at a campaign rally in Carnival area Friday night, Thasmeen said that former president Nasheed has dealt with opposition political leaders with a “kind heart.”

“We have to deeply consider the two [candidates] that have moved on to the second round. I, for one, considered among the candidates, the one who will bring peace to the country. Who, of these two candidates, will have the lesser sense of retribution, when they take the presidency. In this, I have no doubt. The candidate is MDP’s presidential candidate Mohamed Nasheed.”

“When he [Mohamed Nasheed] got the presidency in 2008, he dealt with his political opponents with a kind heart. Just once, [former president Maumoon] was taken to the police station in full honour. But he never had a sense of retribution towards former president Maumoon, or his family,” Thasmeen said.

He also praised Nasheed for his success in the first round of the polls and said that he too, completely accepts the election results. Thasmeen said that the irregularities in the first round of polls are not grave enough to challenge the results. He called on the parties who lost the polls to accept defeat.

“I would like to assure all members that DRP would do all we can to elect former president Nasheed. I would also like to tell you that I will steadily perform my part,” Thasmeen said.

Having gained 45 percent in the first round of polls, Mohamed Nasheed is set to compete Progressive Party of Maldives (PPM) candidate, former president Muamoon Abdul Gayoom's brother, Abdulla Yameen in the runoff.