MDP parliamentarians endorse Meekail for chairpersonship

Parliamentarians from the Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) have publicly announced their support for South Galolhu MP Meekail Ahmed Naseem for chairpersonship of the main opposition party.

The MDP’s parliamentary group made the announcement at a press briefing on Monday afternoon at the MDP center in Male’.

Speaking to reporters, Meekail, who is campaigning under the banner ‘Ithubaaru’ or ‘Trust’, thanked the parliamentarians for their support, and said that they had begun campaigning for him around two months back.

He added that the parliamentary group had been the organ that had worked the hardest when the MDP had been at its worst.

Meekail said that members of the group had travelled to over 100 islands in the recent local council elections campaign, and understands the sentiments of the people very well.

He asked for support from the members of the party in the districts that MDP parliamentarians represent, and beyond.

“The parliamentary group visited over 100 islands as part of the recent local council elections campaign. Therefore, the parliamentary group is well-versed in the sentiments and aspirations of grassroots members of the party,” he said.

Ibrahim Nazil, the leader of MDP’s parliamentary group, said that Meekail has been making valuable contributions to the party since his days as president of the party’s youth wing.

“Our efforts as members of the Parliament in these past two years have produced good results. MDP’s Meekail played the biggest role in this,” he said.

All MDP parliamentarians who attended the press conference made individual speeches endorsing Meekail, describing him as the best and most trustworthy choice to lead the party into a new era.

Meekail is running for chairpersonship against former President Mohamed Nasheed, who is campaigning under the banner ‘Bodu Badhalu’ or ‘Big Change’.