lapdogibra
Ibra accepts role as figurehead subordinate to Annie
Moonisa Easa, Political Analyst
Male’, Maldives, 8th February 2006 (www.olhuala.com) – Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) president Ibrahim Ismail (Ibra) has withdrawn his offer of resignation and declared that he is prepared to stay on as a figurehead party president under the party led by Chairman Mohamed Nasheed (Annie). Late Monday night, Ibra had threatened to resign as he felt Annie's meddling was in contravention of party rules and had become unbearable. Yesterday, he admitted that he was not prepared to relinquish the ‘respect and glory that comes with being party president’ even if it meant having no power and being Annie’s puppet.
Both men yesterday accepted that the party's constitution, which is an exact copy of the constitution of the Russian Yabloko Party, has serious defects and did not address basic issues such as how a meeting of the party's National Executive Committee can be called or the people who can or cannot call such a meeting. Political experts revealed that the shortcomings were typical of a body designed to act as a revolutionary group and not as a political party.
It is believed that matters came to a head on Monday night after Annie called a meeting of the Executive Committee without seeking Ibra’s approval or even informing him. Most of Ibra's shadow cabinet disregarded Ibra's direct orders not to heed any such call and joined Annie. Further, some members of his cabinet have publicly ridiculed Ibra's orders, which prompted Ibra to hand in his resignation.
The whole sordid affair has seriously undermined the MDP's claims that they are a mature and responsible political party. One analyst claimed: "The Maldivian people do not believe that a party so incompetent as to be incapable of drafting a proper constitution for themselves can have any valid input into the reform process or the amendment of the country's constitution. As for acting responsibly, I do not see what good it does to anyone to play this childish tiff out in public."
Ibra has implied that Annie is acting in contravention of party rules, saying: "Annie is acting against established principles." Ibra also did not attend another meeting called by Annie last night.
Annie responded by claiming he had the authority to call any meeting because "the MDP constitution only states that a meeting can go ahead if we have a quorum. It does not specify who can call such a meeting."
While Annie’s cronies, who include the Minivan Group media organ have staunchly supported Annie’s actions as ‘making the party internally democratic’, Ibra’s supporters see the situation somewhat differently. “Why did we have an election for the party president and the costly national congress when everything is always decided according to Annie’s whim and fancy? He claims he is not in a political position [MDP constitution fails to define the role of Chairman], yet he manipulates everything to his advantage”, said Thala Moosa, an important confidante of Ibra.
“Annie even got Ibra elected by various means. Maybe this is why. I have personally advised Ibra to resign his position, but he chooses to carry on as ‘president’ with no power and no support within the party.
“He is ready to be Annie’s lapdog, endorsing everything Annie and his cohorts come up with. We feel it is rather spineless of him.”
Observers outside the party are more circumspect about the affair. Some still claim that Ibra will indeed resign within the next few days, while others see the whole affair as stage-managed for the benefit of the Commonwealth representatives who are currently in the Maldives to assist in the drafting of constitutional amendments.
Click to read full story
Moonisa Easa, Political Analyst
Male’, Maldives, 8th February 2006 (www.olhuala.com) – Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) president Ibrahim Ismail (Ibra) has withdrawn his offer of resignation and declared that he is prepared to stay on as a figurehead party president under the party led by Chairman Mohamed Nasheed (Annie). Late Monday night, Ibra had threatened to resign as he felt Annie's meddling was in contravention of party rules and had become unbearable. Yesterday, he admitted that he was not prepared to relinquish the ‘respect and glory that comes with being party president’ even if it meant having no power and being Annie’s puppet.
Both men yesterday accepted that the party's constitution, which is an exact copy of the constitution of the Russian Yabloko Party, has serious defects and did not address basic issues such as how a meeting of the party's National Executive Committee can be called or the people who can or cannot call such a meeting. Political experts revealed that the shortcomings were typical of a body designed to act as a revolutionary group and not as a political party.
It is believed that matters came to a head on Monday night after Annie called a meeting of the Executive Committee without seeking Ibra’s approval or even informing him. Most of Ibra's shadow cabinet disregarded Ibra's direct orders not to heed any such call and joined Annie. Further, some members of his cabinet have publicly ridiculed Ibra's orders, which prompted Ibra to hand in his resignation.
The whole sordid affair has seriously undermined the MDP's claims that they are a mature and responsible political party. One analyst claimed: "The Maldivian people do not believe that a party so incompetent as to be incapable of drafting a proper constitution for themselves can have any valid input into the reform process or the amendment of the country's constitution. As for acting responsibly, I do not see what good it does to anyone to play this childish tiff out in public."
Ibra has implied that Annie is acting in contravention of party rules, saying: "Annie is acting against established principles." Ibra also did not attend another meeting called by Annie last night.
Annie responded by claiming he had the authority to call any meeting because "the MDP constitution only states that a meeting can go ahead if we have a quorum. It does not specify who can call such a meeting."
While Annie’s cronies, who include the Minivan Group media organ have staunchly supported Annie’s actions as ‘making the party internally democratic’, Ibra’s supporters see the situation somewhat differently. “Why did we have an election for the party president and the costly national congress when everything is always decided according to Annie’s whim and fancy? He claims he is not in a political position [MDP constitution fails to define the role of Chairman], yet he manipulates everything to his advantage”, said Thala Moosa, an important confidante of Ibra.
“Annie even got Ibra elected by various means. Maybe this is why. I have personally advised Ibra to resign his position, but he chooses to carry on as ‘president’ with no power and no support within the party.
“He is ready to be Annie’s lapdog, endorsing everything Annie and his cohorts come up with. We feel it is rather spineless of him.”
Observers outside the party are more circumspect about the affair. Some still claim that Ibra will indeed resign within the next few days, while others see the whole affair as stage-managed for the benefit of the Commonwealth representatives who are currently in the Maldives to assist in the drafting of constitutional amendments.
Click to read full story