President: PPM and MDP – the only real contenders

The ruling Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) and the main opposition Progressive Party of Maldives (PPM) are the only real contenders for the upcoming presidential election, states President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih.

President Solih made the remark during a campaign visit to Sh. Funadhoo on Monday. He was joined in the tour by his coalition partners and top members of his campaign team.

Addressing a rally, the president said that though there were additional contenders for office, only MDP and PPM had any real popularity.

“Given the political landscape of Maldives, its MDP and PPM that are contesting. I don’t see anyone else having that kind of popularity. So, you decide if you want us to go back to how things were before 2018,” he said.

‘THIS ADMINISTRATION HAS INVESTED MORE IN MALDIVES’ DEVELOPMENT’

The president said his administration has invested more in the development of Maldives than any other administration.

“We did it because this is what the people want. MVR 22 billion was spent on PSIP projects between 2014 and 2018. During this administration, we have spent MVR 32 billion on PSIP projects,” he said.

The president said his biggest goal when he assumed office in 2018 had been to develop islands, irrespective of political leanings.

He said that Funadhoo was a prime example of that.

“This shows me that the people of Funadhoo are willing to cooperate with whichever administration is in power to develop the island,” he said.

The president said his administration has fulfilled many of its pledges to Funadhoo.

He said that if elected for a second term, he will:

• Develop the remainder of the island’s streets with asphalt
• Build rowhouses or flats
• Run a development project in neighboring Farukolhu
• Build additional classrooms in the island’s school
• Build a 50-bed hospital
• Contract the land reclamation project in the island before the end of the year

Addressing the rally, Funadhoo MP Mohamed Shahid said the island was home to many people who have made political sacrifices.

He said the island “slid to the very back of development” when it elected the former PPM administration.

“We have not seen an administration that has developed this island to the extent that the MDP administration has, in the last 15 years,” he said.