Opposition Dhivehi Rayyithunge Party (DRP) Supreme Leader Maumoon Abdul Gayoom has denied quitting his political career completely.
Asked by journalists whether he is going to return to politics despite announcing his decision to quit politics early last year, Gayoom, who returned to the Maldives last evening from Malaysia said, “I did not say that I was quitting my political career, did I? I am at the post of the Supreme Leader of DRP which is the highest position of the party. So I am obliged, in my capacity as the person who is holding the highest position of the party, to work for the improvement of the party and to unite the party. God willing, I will do whatever is possible for the unity and improvement of the party.”
On January 25, 2010, Gayoom announced that he would not participate in any political activity after leaving the party’s leadership at the congress held in last February.
“What I meant to say was that I would not participate in any extreme political activity where things like criticising each other are common. I will remain in serving the public without being involved in the political turmoil and without criticising anyone,” Gayoom said at the press conference telecasted live from Male International Airport.
Former President Gayoom also said DRP does not have any factions but described the current internal conflicts as disputes.
Asked whether he plans to compete in the 2013 presidential election, Gayoom said the election “is still too far away” and he is focused on winning the local council election, which would be held on February 5.
Journalists also asked Maumoon about his view regarding a party primary to resolve the disputes, which had on one occassion led to violent clashes between supporters of Leader Ahmed Thasmeen Ali and Deputy Leader Umar Naseer, who was ousted by the party’s Disciplinary Committee.
“What is best is to opt for dialogue in order to find a peaceful and a smooth solution to the disputes. I am trying to unite the party,” he said.
Asked about the reports that Gayoom has withdrawn his support to Leader Thasmeen to compete in the next presidential election, he said, “I do not want to blame anyone.”
“My door is open for any member of DRP.”
Gayoom also reiterated that the Disciplinary Committee’s decision to oust Umar was made against the party’s charter.
Gayoom arrived in Male while DRP was holding a rally in Haa Dhaal atoll Hanimaadoo to officially inaugurate the party’s local council election campaign. Gayoom declined to comment on the matter.
“I was not informed by anyone about it,” he said.
Local media also asked the former president about the accusations that Thasmeen and Parliament Speaker Abdulla Shahid tried to travel to India on a ticket offered by India’s GMR Infrastructure.
Gayoom said he received the report that Thasmeen and Shahid were trying to fly to New Delhi from Colombo and asked Shahid about the report via an SMS.
“He said that they [Thasmeen and Shahid] did not go to [New Delhi] but were in Colombo,” he said.
Hundreds of Gayoom’s supporters were gathered near Jetty No.1 to welcome him. He was greeted with rose petals and an art performance at the area.
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