Yamin to back his brother in election

27 October 2007
Report: Uken

Yamin has given an exclusive interview to Minivan News that he will be backing his brother Maumoon to be President for a seventh term. He feels Gayoom is the man for the Maldives in next year's presidential elections. He has said public figures need to know pulse of the people and public are looking for someone they can trust, with a good track record, and ability for the job. And he believes Gayoom tops the current list of candidates.

Yamin says that although Gayoom has been in power for thirty years and there is resentment and discontent among many Maldivian towards his brother there is no alternative candidate who can compare.

Yamin has told that he is not in the DRP now and he has formally resigned when he announced PA will become a political party. Yamin praised his brother President Gayoom saying Gayoom was much more democratic than people realize.

Yamin complimented President Gayoom for launching the roadmap and said Gayoom has been harshly criticized over the reform process, and insisted blames should not rest on one man’s shoulder. He further said responsibility for constitutional delay lays with many parties not just the President.

Yamin has said he is not interested at present to contest for presidency but did not rule out the possibility adding he can be asked about it in a few months. Yamin explained there are qualified people in PA considering the list floating about the moment.

Yamin was not happy about the economy of the country how it is being handled by his arch rival Finance Minister Gasim and said Gasim has lot of explaining to do and he promised it will be PA's main stress, He went on to say the best servant of the country is someone who can raise our dismal economy, provide people with housing, more employment. Yamin seems to be confident that PA can do it under his leadership.

But his opponents has a different view on this that Yamin was the most powerful minister in Gayoom's cabinet and why did he not do these services then. Meanwhile Dr: Hassan Saeed who has been among Yamin's strongest rivals has announced he will be running for Presidency to contest Gayoom in 2008. But whoever contents in the Election; with Yamin's backing no one can beat President Gayoom. Yamin's new stand also hints to the possibility of a strong PA and DRP alliance in the offing.