Support for ruling coalition has grown, PPM claims

Now divided Progressive Party of Maldives (PPM) has claimed that support for it and its partner, the Maldives Development Alliance (MDA), has grown since the local council elections.

The party’s faction loyal to President Abdulla Yameen said on Thursday that this comes along with noticeably diminishing support for the opposition Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP).

The faction’s secretary-general, Abdulla Khaleel, said that the head count at their party rallies have increased as well. Further addressing a reportedly circulating message – which claims to be sent by President Yameen – asking PPM’s supporters to not attend rallies, Khaleel said the messages are a ploy instigated by the MDP.

However, none of RaajjeMV’s sources have been able to acquire information on such a message or verify its existence.

President Yameen continues to participate in the PPM-MDA rallies along with senior members of the government and parliament members.

Khaleel further said that acquiring 41 percent of the seats in the local council elections is commendable, especially given that MDP had ‘only acquired 45 percent’, even with the support of the Jumhooree Party, Adhaalath Party, and the PPM faction loyal to former President Maumoon Abdul Gayoom.

He made the claim that most of the nonpartisan council-elects, who amount for 14 percent of all seats, are loyal to the ruling coalition as well.

While Khaleel’s claim are such, MDP had acquired 21 of 23 city council seats – with a PPM candidate only acquiring one.

MDP’s candidates alone had been elected to the majority of seats in constituencies across the country, with its opposition partners having acquired several as well.