Former Maldivian President Mohammed Nasheed has reportedly said that he could no longer stand in political alignment with President Mohammed Solih. The rift between the duo has been growing following the inquiry in the failed assassination bid on Nasheed in May. 

Both, Nasheed, who is currently the speaker of parliament, and Solih, are childhood friends and the former also added that they have no personal differences. Sun news reported that Nasheed had made the remark in a message he had sent in the official WhatsApp group of the party, the Maldives Democratic Party (MDP). 

When asked about Nasheed’s message, Mabrook Azeez, the spokesperson of Solih, said that fulfilling the electoral pledges was the only concern of the President.

The recent disagreement emerged over Nasheed’s call for establishing a parliamentary system. Solih, however, wasn’t in favor of the abolishing the presidential system. 

Earlier also, disagreement emerged over the parliamentary inquiry into the failed assassination bid on Nasheed, who accused the President of influencing it, an allegation refuted by Solih. Nasheed also made public statements that harmed the government’s image.

A few weeks ago, Nasheed called for mass arrests for a fair inquiry in his assassination case

The government, he said, risked losing public confidence if it failed to conduct a proper investigation. Police needed to find the people who planned and funded the attack, he added. He further said investigation agencies needed more technical assistance for a fool-proof investigation.

Earlier, during a clubhouse chat,  Nasheed directly addressed President Solih, “I want to make it clear to the President, to do this (mass arrest of people) fast without dragging your feet. You need to rise up to save (the) Maldives.”

One lawmaker of the ruling party, who is considered loyal to Nasheed, had asked for the resignation of Solih. 

(SAM)