No single candidate from opposition, says ex-MDP chair

The opposition will not be able to field one candidate for the presidential elections, according to the former chair of the Maldivian Democratic Party.

The deputy speaker of parliament Moosa Manik said he had no concerns over President Abdulla Yameen winning the presidency because the opposition was already showing signs of infighting, Mihaaru reported.

The MP for Hulhu-Henveiru criticised the MDP for proclaiming Mohamed Nasheed as its candidate of choice, after joint party discussions had started about fielding a sole candidate.

“What’s the point of discussion then? They selected people from amongst a political group to discuss it. That means every party has agreed to follow what all the party says to field a united candidate, or for each of them to hold primaries to select a candidate. That should be decided at their discussion table,” said Manik, who signed up for the ruling PPM party last July.

He also said it was sad to see his former party controlled by a small group who refused to support any other candidate than Nasheed.

Manik believed Yameen would win this year’s presidential elections in the first round.