Jumhoory Party is showing true examples of democracy: Didi

Dr Ibrahim Didi who was elected as the President of pro-government Jumhoory Party last night, said that the party has continued to portray outstanding examples of democracy. The former President of opposition Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) Didi who was elected after receiving 13 votes out of the 24 members present at the Council meeting last night, claimed that two members walking out of the meeting was in itself a fine example of democracy.

Following divergences of opinion during the Council meeting held to elect members to the newly created posts of the party, Deputy Leader Abdulla Jabir, State Fisheries Minister Fuad Gasim and Youth State Minister Naif Shaukath had all walked out.

Jabir and Fuad stormed out of the meeting after heated exchanges following his proposal to appoint Dr Didi as the Health Minister.

Pointing out the lack of influence of Jumhoory Party leader and Maamigili MP Gasim Ibrahim within the party, Didi said that “won’t the person walking out remain silent if asked by the leader?”

“That’s not how it happened. If the leader wished, the vote on the Secretary General’s post wouldn’t have ended all square,” Didi said during the press conference after the election.

“But in other parties we have witnessed resolutions being passed in clear violation of basic regulations while the Congress is chaired by persons who had been declared with no legal authority by a court of law. Such decisions are being made and influenced.”

Didi further added that Jumhoory Party had “no leader who showed malevolence” and that fact gave him great solace.

“Hence it’s with great satisfaction and confidence I note that we would be allowed to work within the broadest terms to achieve political stability and peace for the people,” he claimed.

Didi detailed that the political independence in the Maldives had been lost due to the use of democracy as a weapon by some, and the people need to be aware of that fact. To that end, he stressed that taking to the streets, torching places and attracting the attention of the outside world was not democracy.

He further expressed happiness for the transformation of Jumhoory Party’s vision and claimed that signs of democratic principles taking shape in the party were now becoming evident. More importantly, the result of last night’s election clearly showed the lack of clout of Gasim over the party, he added. Hence, Didi noted that the things earlier questioned by the people were now being revised.

Didi also revealed that the party would soon declare a cabinet but noted that it would not be a straight forward “shadow cabinet” as the sole purpose of it would be to enforce the policies of the party.

Speaking during the press conference, party leader Gasim Ibrahim stressed that though the President’s post had been created, it would not contradict the responsibilities of the party leader.

In addition, the basic regulation had been amended to facilitate the participation of the President, Vice President, Policy Secretary and Secretary General in the party’s Council, Gasim added.

Dr Didi while highlighting that there would not be a conflict of responsibilities with the leader alleged that the conflict of responsibilities within the MDP leadership was not due to the lack of written documentation.

“I can only say that such things happen because they have no sincerity. For example, some members use the term democracy as a political weapon. But the reason I’m saying this is because their words contradict their actions,” Didi said.

During last night’s Council meeting, VTV Executive Chairman Ameen Ibrahim was elected as the VP of Jumhoory Party while Mohamed Ajmal was voted as the Policy Secretary. 

But after the votes for the two candidates for Secretary General ended all square, it was decided to go for a re-vote during the next Council meeting.
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