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"The keenest sorrow is to recognize ourselves as the sole cause of all our adversities." – Sophocles (496 BC - 406 BC)
It is customary for party leaders to resign when they lose national elections. But when questioned about possible resignation in the aftermath of his debacle in the Presidential Election, Maumoon surprised the reporter by replying he would continue as DRP leader if party members want him to continue. This reply means he has no intention whatsoever of resigning. But an answered question remains. Will he hold a referendum among party members to seek their opinion whether he should continue? Or will he simply assume he has their support and continue as party leader, pretending nothing has happened, till the next party election?
If a referendum or a fresh election is held for party leadership, it will give members a chance to decide their future direction. DRP includes many potential young leaders who could revitalize the party into a credible opposition and prepare for the forthcoming Majlis elections. "Ability is of little account without opportunity." – Napoleon Bonaparte
Maumoon justified his bid for a 7th term saying he wanted to continue his unfinished 'Reform Agenda'. He will soon have to think of a fresh justification for continuing as DRP leader. The old justification –unfinished agenda – did not work last time. It may not work next time either.
President Gayoom has had the opportunity to serve the Maldives for three decades. Perhaps it would occur to him one day that nobody is indispensable.
19 comments:
DRP is Maumoon’s property. If party members don’t mind their Honda bikes being held up in the traffic by a wheelbarrow, it’s their business, not ours.
Gayoom’s excuses to remain in power resemble the stories of Sheherezad in the Arabian Nights: never ending stories meant to prolong her survival.
He's over 70 now, he should retire and spend the rest of his life doing things he couldn't do as president.
i don't think DRP can elect any other leader than Maumoon because DRP is built around Maumoon, for Maumoon. Unlike other parties like MDP which is built around an agenda for reform. DRP memebers know and everyone knows that DRP is nothing without Maumoon. DRP=maumoon=DRP
I think it's gonna be a disaster for DRP if maumoon resigns now. They need his support to win majority in the general election. he can play a very important role. if maumoon resigns and drp loses their seats in parliament we will not have a sufficient opposition. maumoon need to resign after than and forget politics. he could take up one of those jobs offered to him by UN.
he has two choices. either he stays as opposition leader or as former head of state. if he chooses latter one he would get all those immunities as well as allowances set by new law. but if he acts as leader of DRP the law not allowed him to enjoy those immunities and allowances. so far his behavior shows us he still wants been in power and will contest to next election too. he is also trying to get sympathy of citizens.
The fact that Maumoon did not transform Kinbigasdhoshuge from a warehouse into a place he could live and call home is evidence that he was sure he will continue to be a lifetime President. Whatever delusions still trail the man, I think he thinks that he can continue to be a Leader -- at DRP -- no matter what cost. The fact is that the Maldivian people has rejected his excuse to see through his Reform Agenda, and if this is the outcome of an elections, the DRP as a party should elect another person for a Leader with a new agenda, obviously someone young and fresh.
54% vote for an alliance of multiple parties.46% for Qayoom on his own becos all those affiliated parties to him like Reeko Ibrahim maniks wouldnot have managed anything close to even that of Iburas party in terms of votes.So now every one in the alliance hopes and pray that Qayoom infact leaves politics for good obviously because they still feel very much threatened.The fact is multiple candidates,multiple percentages will be the norm in our future politics and even at this time and age Qayoom will still have a sizeable vote bank and this can influence the outcome of elections be it to the majlis or anything else.So now the best strategy will be wage a propaganda war and hope that it alone is sufficient to make Qayoom feel insecure and leave politics for good but we still do not know how determined he will be as an opposition leader.One thing is for sure.He still has die hard supporters and almost half the electorate behind him whether anyone likes it or not.
So the 54% guys should be careful
because if they mismanage and bungle up things they will soon see the tables turned upside down.
The way things are going now the alliance already have similarities to the old Janata party of India after removing Indira Gandhi from power.
Once the dust settlles from the recent happenings, then Maumoon should resign from party leadership. But he will definitely have arole within the party. Advisor,Honorary chair etc. who will be his successor . Thasmeen is the obvious choice. He has money. He can deliver a good speech. He is young and educated. But he is not dynamic enough. He is also not in touch with ordinary people. He is not very accessible. But these are areas that he can improve upon.
Dr Waheed,
Isn't it self-evident that Gayyoom will not resign from the DRP leadership?
The man is perhaps, contemplating to run for presidency if Anni resigns and holds a midterm election.
Gayoom said he want to live as an ordinary Maldivian.
Give him Mrf 1500 as pension and MRf 250 as medical allowance.
After ruling the country for 30 years and silencing the voices the public and misusing public funds, the old fox Gayoom is trying to deceive the public again and cajoling himself as the champion of democracy.
The man was a brutal dictator and doesn’t deserve the respect of the citizens and the Supreme Court should issue restraining order to stay away from political parties and politics. Gayoom & co must face justice and the rule of Law.
To Anonymous [November 7, 2008 9:31 PM]. Don't try to fool every body. Yo can fool some people sometime. But not everyone all the time. Maumoon's days are gone. With all his cronies in the island and atoll offices, and in the ministries, he could not muster 50%. After losing all the powers, he is just nobody. If Maumoon goes for an election after November 11, he will not get more than 15-20percent. Better stop dreaming and come to your senses and elect a new leader with a new vision and energy as a previpous commentator has suggested. Someone who can move around without kolhuvetti and the cars!
There wont be a DRP without Gayoom. Simple as that! It is very important for all of us to "detoxify". Then go for a free and fair, open and just election.
If Maumoon leaves DRP Gasim and other businessmen in the country will be ruling for next thirty years. If people want to see a better future we need a strong oposition. In this case its DRP. Otherwise the public voice won't be heard and as always majilis will do what ever they are paid for by their financial backers.
Maumoon ruled the country for 30 years because there was no opposition to challenge and make public aware about what is happening in this country. Who ever who wish Gayyoom is gone, are afraid what of wht he is capable and he has proven that in a free and fair election and this fact will remain even after November 11.
I will only trust DRP when the party has internal democracy to govern and get rid of the nepotism and cronyism inside the party. Having said that, i don't think it will be possible to achieve those objectives within span on 10 years (next two elections)
A more pertient question is about the fate of Zaki.Is he the new president-elect?
Looks like Anni guy is a fish out of water
Before calling some a dictator pls define the terms 'dictator' or 'authoritarian'
According to some MDP supporters,Zaki is the 'Maumoonuge vafaadhaaru kuthaa'
Maumoon had it all. He miss used it all for the past 30 years. The new president has announced that all 65 year olds and above are going to receive pension. So simple, yet so heart warming news, why did not our 30 year ruler even dreamt of doing that , why why why.... well i can think of only one reason. One Person for all islands. you don't top a god.
i guess he thought he was god all these years.
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