President Dr Mohamed Waheed Hassan Manik had reportedly given a three day ultimatum to the former ruling Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) to inform its decision on joining the cabinet as he pushed forward a plan to form a national unity government.
However during a press conference with foreign media at 4:30pm on Thursday afternoon, Dr Waheed adamantly denied giving such an ultimatum, instead saying he would always remain open to MDP’s involvement in his government. However the statement was still available on the President’s Office website as of midnight February 16.
“No we haven’t, I deny that. I am not aware of it. If somebody has, then somebody else is doing this,” he said.
According to the statement – released by the President’s Office on Thursday – Dr Waheed had forwarded a letter to the Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP)’s President Dr Ibrahim Didi, requesting he inform the party’s decision on joining the national unity government before February 20.
“The President said that at a time when the country is deeply divided, the way forward in achieving national aspirations was through working together and by a fully inclusive government. He, therefore, urged MDP to join the national unity government that he was striving to form,” the statement read.
“The President also stressed the need to resolve the existing political rifts and to find a way forward. In this regard, he said, he hoped that his proposition would bring an end to the long standing divisions that had existed in the country.”
In the letter, President Waheed also stated that he believed that, despite the political differences, “the MDP President would also view the need to complete the reform process. He also stressed that the reform process would take time to complete.”
Therefore, he said, “he hoped that the MDP President would see that the time left till 2013 elections could be an opportunity for the country to address the political problems, identify issues and to work together to complete the reform process.”
Speaking to Minivan News Dr. Waheed’s spokesperson Masood Imad added that if the MDP did not respond to the letter in the given time, “there are ways to work around it” – although he did not specify those ways.
“By the end of the 20th if they dont give an answer they can do it on the 21st or may be later,” Imad observed. “We will not close our doors. As President Waheed had said before, we will welcome MDP with open arms always.”
Dr Waheed has put forward the ultimatum in the face of pressure from his predecessor former President Mohamed Nasheed from MDP, who has denounced Dr Waheed’s government as illegitimate, claiming that he was forced to resign in a bloodless coup d’etat on February 7 at the hands of rogue police and military officers.
Dr Waheed has earlier said that he wanted his cabinet – now compromising of mostly opposition members – to “represent all major political parties”, and said he hoped that MDP would be represented. Dr Waheed also said he would “keep posts vacant for them”. However the MDP has so far rejected any participation in Dr Waheed’s government and has called for early elections in the next two months.
India on Thursday evening amended its position on the Maldives and backed calls for early elections.
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If MDP Joins the Coupe Leaders that they won
Are these clowns blind, deaf,retard..? Where do these idiots study. As they say The more the learn the more the kafir.. Now waheed, Maldivians are very well aware of your interests in this position. You are the kind of preson who spit on the face of the innocent. We all know where your wide open arms hangs. And yes you look exactly a the kind of person who will bring a coup. There is not a single drop of honor in you. And Masood Imad beyfulizium is over in this
country. So for people like you who dwels in its rot. We say stepdown and make way for the people. Here we come..
If waheed wanted MDP in his cabinet why did he ask them to resign in the first place. Waheed you have done enough to undermine the will of the majority people of the Maldives. Do not take us for fools. Anyway this letter seems to be addressed only to Dr. Didi with no reference to any other party organs of MDP. Looks to me that you seem to think Did can be moved. but Didi is no fool he too sees the crowd behind Nasheed.
waheed has a way with words or he's just a plain faced liar?
MDP will not join as MDP is controlled by elite mob! Its controled by Sarangu Adam manik, Rekko Moosa and Mariya (the lover)...etc. These thugs control the streets with street thugs! MDP has structure BUT now its not in control. Dr. Didi is a puppet and have no say at all. If he ever speak, he speaks on behalf of these three thugs!
Marie, you are right ? MDP is controlled by few people including Nasheed. Everyone is expected move around with Nasheed and to obey Nasheed who does not hold any position in MDP now. Dr. Didi should take the charge of MDP . Nasheed is a virus who has ruined the country and MDP.
Hope MDP will not join Waheed's national unity government backed by golhaa force .
mdp has time and time again proved your claims are irrelevant.. we mdp members control the mdp party.. not like some other parties in maldives.. who doesnt have members to support their individual parties.. only those who still support maumoon are the main supporters.. ask anyone of Maldives how many supporter are there in these individual parties.. we mdp members elected dr.didi as the party president and he knows we mdp members whole heartedly backs Anni..
Waheed is stumbling through one gaffe after the other, all the time revealing himself to be a puppet of darker forces behind the coup.
It is clear even to a blind man at this stage that this guy is nowhere near being in control of 'his government'.
Absolute disgrace.
The Maldivian public cannot settle for anything less than immediate elections, followed by a thorough investigation and harshest possible punishments for the criminals involved in this coup - for threatening the very foundations of our democratic aspirations, before we even had 2 election cycles.
The policemen and military officers involved should be sacked as well, and brought to justice for the terror inflicted on our citizens. It is absolutely unforgivable.
mode,
I understand that you have a hard time grasping the idea behind 'will of the people'.
It is kind of obvious why Dr. Didi is not in charge of the MDP, the way President Nasheed.
One of them appeals to the supporters more than the other, as evident from the throngs of crowds that back him.
It is the same reason why Gayoom - with one foot in the grave - is still the only draw in the PPM. The day the old codger dies, you're all done for.
Waheed has no control of the website of his office. he is a puppet. He has no realized that it is time for him to call for elections and leave, before the people serve him justice.
The MDP is the only legitimate political party in the country. They spent 3 years clearing the financial mess of the previous dictatorship and now they want it back to help themselves again and enslave the rest of us. Sickening. The people will speak in an election now.
I personally believe Waheed and Deen mob should face charges of treason and face an international tribunal. In a world of social media, the evidence always catches you up in the end!
What 3 day ultimatum?
Dr Waheed has been asking MDP to join him ever since he was sworn in. A unity government means MDP (and any other party also for that matter) should be a part of the government. Otherwise it would not be a unity government.
I am okay with a unity government. What I am not okay about is seeing golhaa force especially his family in the new government.
I hope MDP does not join Waheed. It will only legitimize what he has done! People who were removed from office in 2008 by our vote are back running things without a mandate from the people. National Unity Government? What a joke!
An elected government when ousted is not expected to endorse the regime by joining hands with them. No sensible politician would agree to that. Hopefully, MDP would not do so. Instead, it must seek a fresh election to make the way for a legitimate government.