MDP chairperson candidate and Galolhu South MP Meekail Ahmed Naseem has vowed not to sideline any party members if elected, emphasizing that unity and inclusion are essential to rebuilding and strengthening the party.
Speaking during the fourth episode of his campaign interview series Ithubaaru Sallaa, Meekail said internal party elections should not result in members being marginalized based on which candidate they supported.
His comments came in response to remarks made by former President Mohamed Nasheed in an MDP National Council WhatsApp group. In the messages, Nasheed suggested that members on the losing side of the election should take a step back from the party’s front line, while those on the winning side would assume leading roles.
Addressing the issue, Meekail said he disagrees with the notion that party members should be pushed aside after an internal contest.
“I do not believe that people who stand on a different side during an internal election should be left behind once the election is over.”
He noted that many of the individuals backing his campaign were among those who worked tirelessly to keep the party active and united following the MDP’s defeat in the last presidential election.
According to Meekail, all members should continue to play an important role within the party regardless of who wins the chairperson election.
“If I am elected, I will not leave anyone behind. Those who did not support me will not be sidelined or excluded.”
Meekail stressed that MDP can only grow stronger by bringing members together rather than creating divisions within the party.
Following concerns raised by several members over his earlier remarks, Nasheed later clarified that he does not want any member to leave the party and reiterated his ambition of expanding MDP’s membership to 100,000 members.
The race for the MDP chairperson position has become one of the most closely watched internal contests within the party, with candidates outlining competing visions for the future direction of the opposition movement.
