Preparations for presidential elections ongoing behind the curtains: Thasmeen

Leader of Dhivehi Rayyithunge Party (DRP) Ahmed Thasmeen Ali has said that they are working on next year’s presidential elections behind the curtains.

Speaking on TVM’s Raajje Miadhu program last night, Thasmeen said that the party is ready for the 2013 elections and they are working on it behind the curtains.

“The preparations for the presidential elections is happening on the other side of the curtain, it has not changed, we are working on it,” said Thasmeen.

He said that the some of DRP’s island council members quitting the party is not a problem and that this is happening because these members were stuck in between when the party separated, and that their beliefs have always been against those of DRP. He added that it is best that people who don’t believe in the party’s ideas leave the party.

He said that DRP does not belong to any single person and that if the party was to crumble when somebody defects, it would have already happened when Maumoon Abdul Gayyoom left the party.

“The way I see it, the party splitting into two was an enhancement; because I think DRP’s beliefs are democratic beliefs. If DRP gathers a following of a single person, or if the followers commit to the party because of a single person, that will weaken the party,” said Thasmeen.

Rebutting the talks that he has overdue loans on his hands, Thasmeen said that there is no loan that he has to payback. Regarding the matters of MPs Azim and Naashiz who are liable to lose their parliament seats, Thasmeen said since the issue is now in court and that he does not have to disclose details, and that their lawyers have said that they will not lose their seats. He also said that he has confidence in his MPs that they will not defect to other parties. Criticizing the National Movement, Thasmeen said that the things they are doing now do not make sense.