Maumoon requests meeting with all parties, not MDP

Leader of Progressive Party of Maldives (PPM), former Maldivian President Maumoon Abdul Gayoom has sent letters requesting meetings with all political parties operating in Maldives, except for the main opposition party – Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP).

Maumoon’s faction within PPM reports that letters requesting meetings had been sent to Jumhoory Party, Adhaalath Party, Dhivehi Rayyithunge Party (DRP) and Maldives Development Alliance (MDA).

No request was sent to main opposition party MDP.

Maumoon had also met with former members of President Abdulla Yameen Abdul Gayoom’s Cabinet on Wednesday, including former Minister of President’s Office – Abdulla Ameen, former Minister of Youth and Sports – Mohamed Maleeh Jamaal, and former Minister of Foreign Affairs – Dhunya Maumoon.

Conflicts within the ruling party has resulted in two factions forming within it; Maumoon’s faction and Yameen’s faction.

Yameen’s faction is working out of Dharubaaruge, while Maumoon’s faction is working out of PPM headquarters – with both factions claiming to be the “real” PPM.

Both factions are holding separate council meetings and making decisions, each hiring a different person for official party positions – including Secretary-General.

Meanwhile, Elections Commission has weighed in and said it respected the rule of law, and the decision of Civil Court to hand over running of PPM from Maumoon to Yameen.