PPM team to Velidhoo obstructed by MDP supporters

Progressive Party of the Maldives (PPM) has reported that supporters of the Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) had tried to obstruct a team from the party to N. Atoll Velidhoo today. PPM team visited Velidhoo to conduct the ceremony of opening a PPM Office in the island, where there has always been a strong MDP presence.

Abdul Raheem, Interim Deputy President of PPM, said today that supporters of MDP tried to obstruct the PPM team, even though they were not successful. Abdul Raheem said that the ceremony conducted to open a PPM Office at Velidhoo was already underway.

“It was very chaotic, as MDP supporters tried to obstruct our way to Velidhoo. However, with assistance from the Police and supporters of PPM, we were able to land there. MDP supporters followed us shouting, and tried to start violence”, said Abdul Raheem.

Abdul Raheem said that MDP supporters created loud noise near the place where PPM was meeting, and also said that he did not know “why they had to do it”.

PPM team also visited N. Atoll Maafaru, to campaign for its candidate running for the upcoming Maafaru Council by-election. The team is now at Velidhoo after its visit to Maafaru.

Velidhoo Council President Mohamed Adil, a member of MDP, said that “nobody tried to obstruct PPM team from landing at Velidhoo, though our party members protested against PPM team”. He also said that there was a confrontation in which an MDP member was hurt.