MDP is a one-man company, says former Deputy Chairperson

Mohamed Imtiaz, former Deputy Chairperson of the Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP), who resigned from his position and left the party a couple of days ago, has said that MDP is “just a company run in accordance with the will of one man”, referring to former President Mohamed Nasheed’s influence in the party.

Imtiaz said that nothing is done in compliance with democratic principles inside the party. “It is not a democratic party”, said Imtiaz. “MDP leaders may claim that it is a democratic party, but it is not, and this fact would become clearer and clearer in the future”.

In addition to being the Deputy Chairperson of MDP, Imtiaz was serving the party as Speaker of the Campaign Committee of the Party and member of the National Council as well.

Imtiaz said that some individuals are controlling the party and making decisions as they wish in contravention to the Party Constitution.

“I was the Administrative Deputy Chairperson, and Maria Ahmed Didi, former Chairperson, resigned when I was serving at that capacity. I believe that in accordance with the Party Constitution, I should have been the one to take up the responsibilities of the Chairperson, as I was the Deputy. However, Moosa “Reeko” Manik was appointed as Interim Chairperson in violation of the Constitution”, said Imtiaz.

Imtiaz said that the President of the Party, who is elected by the members, has been hindered from discharging his duties and responsibilities under the Party Constitution by some of the senior members, and that it is one reason why many members of the party questioned whether democratic principles are being honored within MDP.

“I have no doubt that these reasons would cause other members to leave the Party”, said Imtiaz. “Many members of MDP called me when I resigned, and 80 per cent of them accepted my grounds to be valid”, he added.

After leaving MDP, Imtiaz has now joined the Jumhoory Party. He said that he is fully committed to giving his best to the development and promotion of Jumhoory Party.