Fonadhoo Constituency MP and Progressive Party of Maldives (PPM) Y-faction Deputy Leader Abdul Raheem Abdullah has fired back at his one-time mentor and former President Maumoon Abdul Gayoom, stating that he was not the leader of the Party.

Speaking in the Y-faction’s rally in the ‘Rumaalu-2’ campaign post, the Fonadhoo Constituency MP said that even if the former President insisted that he was the President of the Party, he was no longer one and that he had no legal rights to say so.

The Parliamentarian further said that President Maumoon was removed from the Party, not as the Party leader. He said being a member of the Party was a prerequisite to be the Party leader. Therefore, MP Abdul Raheem said once an individual was dismissed from the Party, then he had no legal standing within the Party to claim leadership.

He stressed that PPM was now run under the guidance of Chief Advisor President Abdullah Yameen Abdul Gayoom.

MP Abdul Raheem hinted that a one-time President cannot hope to hold on to that position forever.

Stating that the public were more aware than before, the Parliamentarian said that Party members had more options.

MP Abdul Raheem also signalled preparations for next year’s Presidential elections, warning that opposition parties cannot push back PPM.