President of Progressive Part of the Maldives (PPM) Maumoon Abdul Gayoom has met with the general members of the Party, flouting the decision by the Party to ban him from meeting the general members.

The meeting was held Monday night in the Party offices at H. Themaa. Many members of the Party had attended the meeting.

The meeting was held behind closed doors, without issuing an invitation to the media. Speaking to RaajjeTV, an official of the Maumoon faction reported that the meeting was held in this manner to prevent the Police from disrupting the proceedings.

The official reported that discussion centered on Party activities, Local Council Elections. He added additional meetings of this nature will be held.

President Maumoon’s son Ahmed Faris Maumoon and daughter Yumna Maumoon were amongst the attendees. However, Dunya Maumoon, currently serving as the State Minister at Health Ministry, and Ghassaan Maumoon did not attend the meeting. Ghassaan Maumoon is currently serving as a State Minister at the President’s Office. The two have tied up with the PPM faction led by President Abdullah Yameen.

Maldives Police Service (MPS) had previously halted a meeting chaired by President Maumoon, decreeing that such meetings cannot be held. The former President was informed of the decision while he was in H. Fulidhooge, the main offices of the Maumoon foundation. Maumoon had filed the case for review in Human Rights Commission of the Maldives (HRCM) and National Integrity Commission (NIC).