Former Parliamentarian for Manadhoo Constituency Mohamed Thoriq has likened former President Maumoon Abdul Gayoom entering the opposition reform movement to that of a jihad of sorts.

He made the statement speaking in the Local Council Elections rally held in Velidhoo island in Noonu Atoll.

“I’m definitely proud of President Maumoon. Him coming into the reform movement’s fold, with us, is a sign that he had started a jihad,” he said.

In the rally, Thoriq called on all citizens to reflect on why four of the major opposition parties had joined together. He added that no one had expected former Presidents Maumoon and Nasheed or that Nasheed and Sheikh Imran would work together on the same platform. Thoriq said that this was a sign that the situation in the country had reached a dire point.

The main opposition Party, Maldivian Democratic Party is running on a platform on re-empowering the decentralized system of rule – a system which they say had been completely dismantled since incumbent President Yameen was sworn into office.