Maldives: Umar tells Thasmeen: “Bring pride back to DRP”

Newly appointed Dhivehi Rayyithunge Party Deputy Leader Umar Naseer, who is not in best of relations with its Leader Thasmeen Ali, told the latter to “bring pride back” to the party after it lost majority status in parliament.

Adding to its woes, the Opposition DRP also lost its status of being the largest party in the Maldives, when the number of DRP members registered with the Elections Commission was outnumbered by the ruling Maldivian Democratic Party.

Asked how it feels for the party to lose majority status in terms the number of parliamentarians and also the support base, Umar said: “It is sad. The party leader must lead now and bring pride back to DRP.

“As Deputies we are here to follow,” Umar who is one of the four DRP Deputy Leaders told the Asian Tribune.

The ruling MDP now has 30 MP after DRP MP Alham Fahumy and Independent MP Abdul Ghafoor joined the party.

The Opposition DRP has 27 MPs with the People’s Alliance 7 MPs, Gaumy Party 2 MPs, Jumhoory 1 MP, and 10 independent MPs.

Umar and Thasmeen have had differences of opinion on party matters.

Umar supported the idea of holding primaries to elect the party’s presidential candidate, than allowing the leader to become the presidential contestant and it was opposed by Thasmeen.

Also Umar is largely considered to be a supporter of Abdulla Yamin -- a political rival of Thasmeen.

People’s Alliance Leader Yamin, who is set contest the 2013 presidential election is the half brother of former President Gayoom.

Yamin supported the DRP at the 2008 presidential election and also has a coalition in parliament with the DRP.

However, Yamin sued the new DRP Leader Thasmeen over unpaid loan amounting to US$ 100,000 recently and the latter paid the money back in an out of the court settlement.

The move has now put the DRP, PA coalition in Parliament under strain, placing the DRP’s majority status too in the balance.

Queried if the differences of opinion Umar has with Thasmeen will affect the party, the former said a firm no.

“It will not affect DRP. It will only compel Thasmeen to work hard,” Umar added.

- Asian Tribune -