Qasim: Nasheed does not wish for anyone but him to be elected leader

Jumhoory Party’s (JP) leader and presidential candidate Qasim Ibrahim, on Friday, remarked that Parliament Speaker, Maldivian Democratic Party’s (MDP) leader Mohamed Nasheed does not wish for anyone but him to be elected Maldives’ leader.

JP and Nasheed’s ‘Fikureege Dhirun’ faction which has now filed for registration as a political party ‘The Democrats’, held extensive political discussions weeks ago. Both Nasheed and Qasim traveled to Sun Island Resort for these discussions. Nasheed, who back then claimed this year’s presidential election was Qasim’s ‘golden opportunity’, has now changed his tune.

Qasim, when questioned about the matter during an interview to VTV, said he knows Nasheed, even aside from politics, more than anyone else.

He went on to say that proposals put forth by Nasheed during the discussions had only implied one thing.

“Said I was behind the election of every individual. Said this time it was our turn to work for Qasim. The proposals put forth alongside these promises implied that I was a person who paves the way for Nasheed’s election. In other words, a stepping stone,” he said.

Qasim said if he and JP work alongside Nasheed for a political purpose, whether be it to form a coalition or not, would increase him and his party’s conflicts with President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih while he would also become labeled “the person who destroyed MDP”.

He went on to say that the discussions with Nasheed had already labeled him as such; a label he does not want to be associated with.

Commenting on Nasheed’s vision to change the governance system of the Maldives to a parliamentary system – Qasim said a country’s luck is not its governance system but rather lies in the capability, earnestness, and honesty of its leader.

Qasim said discussions with Nasheed’s faction came to a stall over his refusal to respond to proposals put forth by Nasheed. He cited his wish not to become a stepping stone for Nasheed to come to power as the reason behind his refusal to respond to Nasheed’s proposals.

“It is not my plan to work to ensure Nasheed comes to power,’ he added.

He also commented on the Twitter handle, ‘Hassan Kursee’, which many believe to be Nasheed’s fake account. In this regard, he exampled there is no rebuttal, politics-wise, from Kursee’s account to any remarks made by Nasheed.

Qasim, noting Nasheed may not own the account, speculated that it is likely he has influence over who owns the account, or the account is run by pro-Nasheed supporters.

In his interview, Qasim also reiterated his commitment to speak out against “bad” decisions by the government and to advocate for the rights of Maldivian citizens despite the obstructions thrown his way by the government. He emphasized that he would do anything for the sake of the country.