Discussions without MDP would be useless – Ibra

1 October 2007
Report: Soodh

Ibrahim Ismail, Ibra , Member of Parliament for Male’ has stated that discussions among parties without the 2 main parties would useless. Ibra made the statement while speaking to Velidhoo Community.

The time for discussions among parties has passed he said. Maldivian Democratic Party and Dhivehi Rayyithunge Party are the key players in the process of Constitutional reform and the other parties cannot do anything in this regard he added.

Ibra says that he believes that the issue of continuing the reform work without hindrance can only be solved by the 2 main parties.

Miadhu contacted Riyaz Rasheed an independent Member of the Parliament, to obtain his views on the subject. He said if Maldivian Democratic Party is not participating in the discussions then their actual objective may not be achieved. “As MDP is openly critical, the government will only take heed of what MDP says and if they are not participating then it is better not to hold the discussions” Riyaz said.

Maria Ahmed, Member of Parliament for Kaafu Atoll and Chief Spokesperson for MDP states MDP and DRP enjoy a majority in the parliament and she does not believe that the Coordinator for all party discussion will be of any help in speeding the Constitutional reform process. Maria says that Constitution is being revised by the Special Majlis and that it’s almost completed. She further says the only person who stands to gain by delaying the reform process would be President Gayoom. She pointed out that 2 persons who resigned recently has also stated that President Gayoom gives priority to his personal interest rather than the best interests of the public and that President Gayoom is still acting in the same manner.

It is known to Velidhoo Community that the invitation of all party coordinator has been accepted by 3 parties. The only party who is not participating is MDP. According to MDP the reason for their boycott is that the Coordinator of all party discussions being an active member of DRP. MDP on a previous occasion has also declined the invitation of the Coordinator. All party coordinator invited all parties to submit names of persons attending the discussions on the 23rd of September 2007.

VELIDHOO COMMUNITY