Thasmeen takes over Opposition DRP leadership

Parliamentarian Ahmed Thasmeen Ali was elected Leader of the main Opposition Dhivehi Rayyithunge Party (DRP) yesterday.

And by default, according to the party’s charter, he now becomes the party’s candidate for the 2013 presidential election in the Maldives.

Former Atolls Minister Thasmeen being the sole candidate running for the party’s top post was elected uncontested, at the party’s national congress that began yesterday.

Ahead of the 2 day congress ending today, DRP founder and its ex-leader Maumoon Abdul Gayoom announced his decision to quit from the party leadership as well as from politics, last month.
Saying it was time for the younger generation to take over, the 72 year old Gayoom said he was “not young any more” announcing his crucial decision at a live news conference.

Gayoom said he would remain a member of the DRP but will not take part in active politics.

Although he endorsed Thasmeen -- his running mate at the 2008 presidential election -- to become the new leader of the party, he however left it for the party to elect a member for the post, at the congress.

But none came forward to contest except Thasmeen.

* Former President Gayoom who quit politics, named party’s ceremonial leader

Meanwhile, former President and ex-DRP Leader Gayoom was named the ceremonial Zaeem (leader) of the party yesterday by its congress.

Today, 8 contenders will vie for the 4 positions of deputy leaders in the party.

They are Kelaa MP Dr Abdulla Mausoom, Thoddoo MP Ali Waheed, DRP spokesman Ibrahim “Mavota” Shareef, former Islamic Democratic Party Umar Naseer, Ungoofaaru MP Dr Afrasheem Ali, Gemanafushi MP Ilham Ahmed, DRP registrar Mohamed Saleem and the only female candidate Dr Fathin Hameed.

- Asian Tribune -