shareefrumours
Mavota spreads rumors about own resignation
Ismail Rifau, Political Correspondent
Male’, Maldives, 21st January 2006 (olhuala.com) – Mavota Shareef, MP for Addu Atoll is stating to selected individuals that he has handed in his resignation from the Maldivian Democratic Party’s (MDP) shadow cabinet, although olhuala.com has reason to believe this claim is false and designed to create further animosity towards the government. The main reason for his sudden decision, he claims, is the damage his Male' residence suffered last night after an attack by 'pro-government activists'.
Shareef was implicated in another separate disinformation scandal just yesterday when he found to have lied about the circumstances surrounding MDP activities in S. Hithadhoo. This had led to the congregation of dozens of MDP members at Hithadhoo hospital before the lie was exposed. MDP activists left the scene calling for Shareef's head and it is believed that these gangs had a part to play in the attack on his Male' home.
Shareef was appointed 'shadow minister for Tourism, Trade and Communication' by party leader Ibrahim Ismail just three weeks ago. Shareef again 'disclosed his decision' to MDP members when he came out of a meeting of MDP chiefs around 9.30 this evening.
He also stated that he had informed Ismail and other members of the shadow cabinet during the course of the meeting. He claimed he did not request to leave the MDP.
The end of MDP's first congress last December had ended in all attendees from the southern atolls including Addu walking out of the conference due to perceived discrimination against them by the MDP's decision makers. Not a single representative from the southern atolls had been elected to any of the party's posts.
In order to placate the southern faction, Ibra offered their leader Shareef a position in his shadow cabinet after much wrangling. Supporters had pointed out Shareef's shortcomings with regard to education level, success, experience and public service and maintained that the appointment had all the hallmarks of improper political wheeling and dealing.
It was reported at the time that Shareef had penned his resignation from the MDP and was minutes away from handing it in. In rumours almost identical to today's story, it was further reported that Shareef was willing to swap parties and join the Dhivehi Rayyithunge Party (DRP) if the DRP was willing to repay the huge debts he had accrued through his failed business ventures.
While some within the DRP were willing to fund this, it had been vetoed by party leaders as not being 'worth the investment'.
Questions regarding Shareef's commitment to the cause have proved difficult to shake off ever since he joined the MDP. For several years he was the running mate of the DRP's Hiyalee Rasheed, and he was elected this time with the help of several votes from current DRP voters. He was elected to the Majlis before the advent of political parties in the Maldives.
Shareef has a history of letting intimidation and fear determine his actions. A long-time associate of Shareef told olhuala.com: "He was swayed to join the MDP because of the number of threats he and his family were getting from anti-government yobs in Addu."
Whatever Shareef expects to gain from his rumour mongering, it is unlikely that the public will be taken in by words emanating from a source quickly gaining notoriety for being inaccurate and even deceptive.
Click to read full story
Ismail Rifau, Political Correspondent
Male’, Maldives, 21st January 2006 (olhuala.com) – Mavota Shareef, MP for Addu Atoll is stating to selected individuals that he has handed in his resignation from the Maldivian Democratic Party’s (MDP) shadow cabinet, although olhuala.com has reason to believe this claim is false and designed to create further animosity towards the government. The main reason for his sudden decision, he claims, is the damage his Male' residence suffered last night after an attack by 'pro-government activists'.
Shareef was implicated in another separate disinformation scandal just yesterday when he found to have lied about the circumstances surrounding MDP activities in S. Hithadhoo. This had led to the congregation of dozens of MDP members at Hithadhoo hospital before the lie was exposed. MDP activists left the scene calling for Shareef's head and it is believed that these gangs had a part to play in the attack on his Male' home.
Shareef was appointed 'shadow minister for Tourism, Trade and Communication' by party leader Ibrahim Ismail just three weeks ago. Shareef again 'disclosed his decision' to MDP members when he came out of a meeting of MDP chiefs around 9.30 this evening.
He also stated that he had informed Ismail and other members of the shadow cabinet during the course of the meeting. He claimed he did not request to leave the MDP.
The end of MDP's first congress last December had ended in all attendees from the southern atolls including Addu walking out of the conference due to perceived discrimination against them by the MDP's decision makers. Not a single representative from the southern atolls had been elected to any of the party's posts.
In order to placate the southern faction, Ibra offered their leader Shareef a position in his shadow cabinet after much wrangling. Supporters had pointed out Shareef's shortcomings with regard to education level, success, experience and public service and maintained that the appointment had all the hallmarks of improper political wheeling and dealing.
It was reported at the time that Shareef had penned his resignation from the MDP and was minutes away from handing it in. In rumours almost identical to today's story, it was further reported that Shareef was willing to swap parties and join the Dhivehi Rayyithunge Party (DRP) if the DRP was willing to repay the huge debts he had accrued through his failed business ventures.
While some within the DRP were willing to fund this, it had been vetoed by party leaders as not being 'worth the investment'.
Questions regarding Shareef's commitment to the cause have proved difficult to shake off ever since he joined the MDP. For several years he was the running mate of the DRP's Hiyalee Rasheed, and he was elected this time with the help of several votes from current DRP voters. He was elected to the Majlis before the advent of political parties in the Maldives.
Shareef has a history of letting intimidation and fear determine his actions. A long-time associate of Shareef told olhuala.com: "He was swayed to join the MDP because of the number of threats he and his family were getting from anti-government yobs in Addu."
Whatever Shareef expects to gain from his rumour mongering, it is unlikely that the public will be taken in by words emanating from a source quickly gaining notoriety for being inaccurate and even deceptive.
Click to read full story