Umar Naseer supporters call for Thasmeen’s resignation, outside DRP head office

The protests, which took place this afternoon outside the group’s headquarters opposite the Artificial Beach, came as website ‘Dhivehi Post’ published an article calling on DRP supporters to gather near the building.

The website alleged that Thasmeen was offering “gifts” to his party’s disciplinary committee members to dismiss DRP deputy leader Umar Naseer from his position.

In September Naseer accused Thasmeen of attempting to dismiss him from the party, after the DRP council voted narrowly to recommend Umar to the disciplinary committee.

“I know that the disciplinary committee will decide to oust me from the party, that is very clear to me,’’ Naseer told press at the time, adding that the committee was “full of Thasmeen’s people who would do whatever he says”.

This afternoon, 30 protesters gathered near the DRP’s headquarters holding placards carrying messages in Dhivehi saying things such as “although Umar may be removed from his position he will be serving the nation and the people.”

Others signs being held outside the party HQ read, ”for the nation, religion and people, we call on Gayoom to be back in politics” and ”Primaries will be held to elect the party’s presidential candidate in 2012.”

Umar Naseer vowed to take legal action against “government officials and opposition figures who accepted bribes from (Indian infrastructure giant) GMR”, following allegations that surfaced on the Dhivehi Post website last week.

Thasmeen and Naseer were not responding to calls at time of press.