Will defeat Gayoom in first round, if he runs for President: Nasheed

Former President Mohamed Nasheed has said he will defeat former President Maumoon Abdul Gayoom in the first round, if he competes in the presidential elections.

Speaking at a rally in Haa Dhaalu Kulhudhuffushi last night, Nasheed said that MDP is out to bring development to the country and that the reason former President Gayoom wants to compete in the presidential elections is to obstruct this development.

“We are the party that gave pension to the elderly. We are the party that cares about single mothers. We are the party that cares about the Maldivian people. We are out to develop this country. Maumoon is coming back again to obstruct this work. [If he competes] we will defeat him in the first round.”

Nasheed’s warning follows Gayoom’s statement yesterday that he has not yet made a final decision about running for President and that it is still a possibility.

In an interview to the Indian newspaper The Hindu, Gayoom had said he has served the country for 30 years and that he feels the country should now be ruled by other people. He also said that if he decides to compete, it will be out of compulsion.

“Things change very frequently. So I am keeping my options open,” Gayoom said.

Nasheed also heavily criticized the courts in last night’s rally.

He said that he will do whatever it takes to bring MDP to power and has repeatedly called for a revolution to bring an end to the current government.