drp congress
April date set for DRP National ConferenceBy: Ismail Rifau
Male', 10 Jan 2006 (olhuala,com) – The Dhivehi Rayyithunge Party (DRP) will hold its first National Conference in April 2006 rather than the anticipated date in January according to a press release. Analysts have long insisted that January was unrealistic as party structure development was running way behind schedule.
"The Executive Committee has decided that the first National Conference will be held during the third week of April 2006. The decision to make the announcement at this early stage is to facilitate the many tasks of the membership drive and party branch setting up which needs to be completed by the time of the conference." read the statement.
Unofficial figures claim that up to now, less than 80 party branches have been set up. Party rules stipulate that each of the inhabited 201 islands in the country must have a party branch.
From the time of the DRP's first meeting, it had been expected that the conference would be held in January. Executive Committee members maintain that January was the original target date, but common sense had to prevail. "We want to do everything by the book; transparent and above-board. We want every eligible Maldivian to be able to join us. We want every member to be able to have their say. We want every delegate to be fully legitimate and representative", says Committee member Ahmed Nihaan.
Much has been made of the opposition, the Maldivian Democratic Party’s (MDP) National Congress. Nihaan says: "They had some difficulties." understating the case. The MDP had to postpone their Congress three times after they first announced dates. They were dogged by logistical problems and issues of representation that led to accusations of unfair elections.
Members of the southern atolls staged a dramatic walk-out from the MDP congress; a blow from which the MDP has yet to recover.
It is obvious that the DRP's Conference will be scrutinised to the minutest detail by the MDP among others. A renewed effort has been detected with cabinet ministers seen to be actively involved in development of branches. Finance Minister Mr Gasim Ibrahim was in Ari Atoll (his home atoll) last week on DRP work.
The announcement also comes amidst rumours that DRP coordinator Mohamed Saleem is to be replaced during administrative restructuring. Saleem, recently named as a President's Member to the Special Majlis, had been the object of much discontent among party activists of late.
Sources within the DRP reveal that Ibrahim Shafiu of the Immigration Department and Adheel Jaleel, a popular youth leader, most noted as Chairman of Football Club Valencia, have recently assumed some administrative responsibilities at DRP's main offices in SinaMale'.
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