Minivan Talks to the Colonel

Minivan News spends 15 Minutes with Mohamed Nasheed (Colonel), MDP candidate for the Male’ by-election to the Peoples’ Special Majlis.
MN: Why are you standing for the Male’ seat in the forthcoming by-elections?
Nasheed: I believe that the country is indeed badly in need of reform. Not just for name’s sake. The reform agenda is facing delays due to the delays arising in amending the constitution. Consequently, the people of Male’ are being denied many of their rights. We must bear in mind that Male’ has the largest population in the country and delays in amending the constitution are bound to have a negative impact on the peoples’ lives in Male’ as well as in other parts of the country. Hence it is my wish to be a part of this work and I assure everyone that I will put my best efforts to the job. That’s my reason for being a candidate in this by-election.
MN: Why should the citizens of Male’ elect you?
Nasheed: I am someone who will stand up for the rights of the people of Male’. Once I’ve given my word I will not change it no what kind of influences are brought to bear on me. The people can be assured that I will always seek the most beneficial path for them. If I’m allowed to represent the people of Male’ at the Majlis, it is not my wish to simply occupy the chair. I hope to represent the interests of the people of Male’ in the fullest sense.
MN: We have received reports that a campaign ‘haruge’ has opened in your name? How true is this?
Nasheed: Yes, I have opened a campaign ‘haruge’ just opposite the Sosun Stores building. When I say ‘haruge’, you will no doubt be aware of the passions and feelings associated with such a place. Even before, we had constructed a haruge – the same spirit will pervade this haruge too. Gatherings, sharing token meals like ‘bodi-bai’y’ and generally sharing our views and expressing ourselves – these are what goes on at the haruge. If we look at the Greeks and their culture, we see that all movements have their beginnings in such places. When we look at the French revolution too, the same picture emerges. Even the current political awakening in the Maldives too has emerged out of similar gatherings. Therefore my hope is to make this haruge a true haruge in every sense.
MN: How do you expect to proceed with your campaign?
Nasheed: Well, the President of the Maldives will definitely not participate in our gatherings at the haruge. However, several branch President’s of the MDP including others will gather at our haruge. So you’ll see even if the President of the Republic should decide to boycott us, we’ll not be lacking in Presidents. No matter – the President of the Maldives too is allowed a single vote and the same applies to every one of the Presidents attending here.
My campaign strategy is directed straight at the peoples’ hearts. Those who support my philosophy, my ideologies and my beliefs can go ahead and vote for me. I’ll not force or intimidate anyone to vote for me. If someone wishes to vote for someone else, you’ll not find me assaulting the person. I will not attack another campaign office nor will I pay people to destroy other’s posters.
The way I see it – I’m facing a very serious issue here. This is not a comedy. What I wish to say is – don’t elect just anyone for the job of amending the constitution. However, I feel the people would already be thinking along the same lines.
MN: What are your expectations for the forthcoming elections?
Nasheed: If it is the peoples’ wish, I can be elected to the seat by a hundred percent margin. If so, they can remain assured that every single one of those hundred percent will be fully represented at the Majlis.
MN: In view of what you’ve just said – you’ve implied that a lot can be done for the people – how much are you prepared to stand behind the pledge?
Nasheed: My message to the people is: you should trust everyone until you lose that trust. Hence, please trust me too until you lose that trust.

Minivan News spends 15 Minutes with Mohamed Nasheed (Colonel), MDP candidate for the Male’ by-election to the Peoples’ Special Majlis.

MN: Why are you standing for the Male’ seat in the forthcoming by-elections?

Nasheed: I believe that the country is indeed badly in need of reform. Not just for name’s sake. The reform agenda is facing delays due to the delays arising in amending the constitution. Consequently, the people of Male’ are being denied many of their rights. We must bear in mind that Male’ has the largest population in the country and delays in amending the constitution are bound to have a negative impact on the peoples’ lives in Male’ as well as in other parts of the country. Hence it is my wish to be a part of this work and I assure everyone that I will put my best efforts to the job. That’s my reason for being a candidate in this by-election.

MN: Why should the citizens of Male’ elect you?

Nasheed: I am someone who will stand up for the rights of the people of Male’. Once I’ve given my word I will not change it no what kind of influences are brought to bear on me. The people can be assured that I will always seek the most beneficial path for them. If I’m allowed to represent the people of Male’ at the Majlis, it is not my wish to simply occupy the chair. I hope to represent the interests of the people of Male’ in the fullest sense.

MN: We have received reports that a campaign ‘haruge’ has opened in your name? How true is this?

Nasheed: Yes, I have opened a campaign ‘haruge’ just opposite the Sosun Stores building. When I say ‘haruge’, you will no doubt be aware of the passions and feelings associated with such a place. Even before, we had constructed a haruge – the same spirit will pervade this haruge too. Gatherings, sharing token meals like ‘bodi-bai’y’ and generally sharing our views and expressing ourselves – these are what goes on at the haruge. If we look at the Greeks and their culture, we see that all movements have their beginnings in such places. When we look at the French revolution too, the same picture emerges. Even the current political awakening in the Maldives too has emerged out of similar gatherings. Therefore my hope is to make this haruge a true haruge in every sense.

MN: How do you expect to proceed with your campaign?

Nasheed: Well, the President of the Maldives will definitely not participate in our gatherings at the haruge. However, several branch President’s of the MDP including others will gather at our haruge. So you’ll see even if the President of the Republic should decide to boycott us, we’ll not be lacking in Presidents. No matter – the President of the Maldives too is allowed a single vote and the same applies to every one of the Presidents attending here.

My campaign strategy is directed straight at the peoples’ hearts. Those who support my philosophy, my ideologies and my beliefs can go ahead and vote for me. I’ll not force or intimidate anyone to vote for me. If someone wishes to vote for someone else, you’ll not find me assaulting the person. I will not attack another campaign office nor will I pay people to destroy other’s posters.

The way I see it – I’m facing a very serious issue here. This is not a comedy. What I wish to say is – don’t elect just anyone for the job of amending the constitution. However, I feel the people would already be thinking along the same lines.

MN: What are your expectations for the forthcoming elections?

Nasheed: If it is the peoples’ wish, I can be elected to the seat by a hundred percent margin. If so, they can remain assured that every single one of those hundred percent will be fully represented at the Majlis.

MN: In view of what you’ve just said – you’ve implied that a lot can be done for the people – how much are you prepared to stand behind the pledge?

Nasheed: My message to the people is: you should trust everyone until you lose that trust. Hence, please trust me too until you lose that trust.

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