stillnosupport
Attempts to rekindle dwindling support proving futile
Ismail Rifau, Political Correspondent
Ismail Rifau, Political Correspondent
Male’, Maldives, 1st February 2006 (www.olhuala.com) – The Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) held its first public rally following the party’s humiliation due to the lack of public support for the January 24th nation wide ‘demonstrations’, at Ghiyaasudhdheen School last night. Announcements aired on Television Maldives (TVM) and the Voice of Maldives (VOM) urged all party members and well-wishers to attend. Sources within the Maldives Police Services (MPS) inform olhuala.com that the MDP informed the security forces that the expected attendance was no less than ten thousand. Analysts deemed these predictions far too optimistic, given the recent setbacks the MDP has suffered.
The MDP’s recent violence, in Addu atoll (see January 10th -14th) has seen support for the party dwindling nation wide. The leadership’s cries to muster support fell on deaf ears. The attendance at last night’s rally was nowhere near the MDP’s expectations. Further it was considerably lower than previous events the MDP hosted in Male’. The estimated numbers were no more than 1700.
“This is the lowest turnout in Male’ in the history of the party [MDP]. There were more people on a nightly basis when we held public meetings at Haruge [Dhunfinige also known as Dhunfini Haruge]” Mohamed Yoosuf of H. Wavy Work, the leader of the MDP’s Kalhubilamas Gofi (cell) told olhuala.com. Dhunfinihiya was closed down by security forces on the 13th of August 2005 as militant factions of the MDP were preparing weapons such as sharpened steel rods and Molotov cocktail petrol bombs to use against the Police and residents.
Party leaders made speeches on the ‘illegitimacy’ of the Peoples’ Majilis (Parliament) and the Special Majilis (Constitutional Assembly) due to the presidential appointees in both chambers. The party line has also become confused as some speakers drew up lists of recommendations to present to the government while others disputed the legitimacy of the government and therefore proclaimed they did not recognise it.
These statements are seen by observers as attempts to divert attention from the fact that the MDP has lost the majority of support all over the country, and as attempts at spawning new lines to attack the constitutionally elected government.
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