Gayoom reaffirms support for President Solih

Former president Maumoon Abdul Gayoom on Tuesday reaffirmed support for President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih and the Maldivian Democratic Party-led ruling coalition.

Gayoom, one of the leaders of the four-party coalition, met with the president and pledged the support of his newly formed Maldives Reform Movement.

“Privileged to have met with HE President Solih today. I assured him of MRM’s support and discussed with him our concerns. The President expressed his appreciation for our efforts to strengthen his administration,” Gayoom tweeted after his meeting.

The meeting came amidst friction between the coalition partners. Earlier this week, Jumhooree Party leader Gasim Ibrahim confirmed a deal with the opposition Progressive Party of Maldives to back each other’s candidates in the April 6 parliamentary elections.

But Gasim, a business tycoon and speaker of parliament, insisted the JP remains part of the ruling coalition.

Cracks appeared in the coalition after President’s Solih’s MDP decided to field candidates in all 87 constituencies, drawing accusations from the JP of reneging on an agreement to divide seats among the parties.

As a result, candidates from the coalition parties will be competing against each other as well as opposition and independent candidates in most constituencies.

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Along with the Adhaalath Party, Gayoom’s Maldives Reform Movement – which is yet to be formally registered as a political party – is also fielding several candidates.

The MRM campaign was officially launched last week with the slogan ‘Maahdaa4’ (Article 4 of the constitution, which states that all powers of the state are derived from, and remain with, the citizens).

Gayoom-backed candidates includes his son MP Faris Maumoon, Aminath Nadira, and former deputy speaker Ahmed Nazim.

Last night’s #Maahdhaa4 campaign launching event was full of resolve and hope. Good luck to all our candidates! pic.twitter.com/Kl4FA5hdZz

— Maumoon Abdul Gayoom (@maumoonagayoom) March 7, 2019

Many people have said that last night’s #Maahdhaa4 event was visibly beautiful. A huge thank you to all those who had worked so hard to make it so. pic.twitter.com/uVFD76AU61

— Maumoon Abdul Gayoom (@maumoonagayoom) March 7, 2019

Very happy to have met so many citizens of Mahchangolhi Uthuru during last night’s campaign launch of @afarismaumoon for upcoming Majlis elections. Wish him success! #Maadhaa4 #MRMKerigenKuriah pic.twitter.com/2SBk3bXPhb

— Maumoon Abdul Gayoom (@maumoonagayoom) March 8, 2019

Nadira- a young person of amazing courage and integrity. A pleasure to be at the launch of her campaign for Majlis election. May she win big! #VoteNadira #Maahdhaa4 #MRMkerigenkuriah pic.twitter.com/l3Dh8x6MoN

— Maumoon Abdul Gayoom (@maumoonagayoom) March 9, 2019

A big thank you to Ahmed Zaheen of Galolhu Dhekunu for presenting me at NR Nadira’s campaign launch event last night with 100 signed application forms to join MRM. #MRMkerigenkuriah #VoteNadira pic.twitter.com/QQL5nL9AIh

— Maumoon Abdul Gayoom (@maumoonagayoom) March 9, 2019

On International Women’s Day, MRM feels proud to have proposed three women cabinet ministers! pic.twitter.com/IF0XLkPpeI

— Maumoon Abdul Gayoom (@maumoonagayoom) March 8, 2019