Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) candidate Mohamed Mustafa’s victory in the re-vote in Thimarafushi spells the end of former President Maumoon Abdul Gayoom’s influence over the nation, speakers at a rally last night said.
At the by-election on Saturday, Mustafa beat the former president’s son, Mohamed Gassan Maumoon, by 50 votes.
Mustafa was sworn in this morning by Supreme Court Justice Abdullah Arif at parliament before today’s sitting.
Speaking at the rally, “Reeko” Moosa Manik, MDP parliamentary group leader, said some people had not realised the government had changed.
“Some people in the civil service and those close to Maumoon have not woken up yet, but you have done it for them very well,” he said.
The rally in Thimarafushi was attended by President Mohamed Nasheed as well as MDP MPs.
Earlier in the day, the MDP entourage was greeted by a rapturous crowd of islanders.
“All the ecstasy means a lot. It shows that we're still maintaining our grass roots support; that we've not really gone away from them,” said MP and MDP Chairperson Mariya Ahmed Didi.
Mariya said MDP had been effective in parliament with 25 MPs, but will be “even louder now”.
At the rally, she said Mustafa’s win was the “second golden seat” for the party, with the presidency being the first.
MDP parliamentary group leader Moosa Manik said more MPs would be joining the party now.
“I think I will be majority leader in parliament soon,” he said. “Three are willing to join. One has signed, but we haven't officially announced it yet.”
MP “Colonel” Mohamed Nasheed added at the rally that many MPs of the opposition parties were having discussions to join MDP.
Young MPs of the opposition Dhivehi Rayyithunge Party-People’s Alliance coalition had been asked to resign to make way for Gassan, he said.
In his speech, Mustafa spoke of the development projects planned for the island, including an airport, a yacht marina and a city hotel.
"I have pledged to find ways for you to stay with your families and work in the island," he said.
Mustafa said Thimarafushi islanders had suffered injustices under the previous government, describing Gayoom as the “most brutal leader in the past hundred years”.
Ahead of the 1994 parliamentary elections, 46 people were arrested from Thimarafushi.
1 comment:
I think Mustafa needs to complete the Hajj Pilgrimage this year for his achievement over Gassaan.
In fact there are a lot of people who have already paid him so that he can completed this holy act.
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