Maldives ex-president expresses concern over opposition's claims against India

Speaker and former President Mohamed Nasheed has expressed concerns over the accusations made against India by the opposition.

During a rally held by the Progressive Party of Maldives (PPM) on Friday, acting leader of the opposition coalition and president of People's National Congress (PNC) Abdul Raheem Abdulla accused India of helping "steal" the 2018 Maldives presidential elections.

The former president on Saturday expressed his concern over PPM criticizing India via Twitter, noting that the nation has been the Maldives’ closest bilateral partner for the longest period of time and that they play a huge role in maintaining peace within countries in the Indian Ocean.

Abdul Raheem criticized India in many ways at the gathering held by the opposing coalition, including destroying the values of ancestors and bringing the island nation under its rule.

He alleged that the presidential elections held in 2018 with India’s assistance was stolen by them and affirmed that this is not the first time this has happened as it is common for powerful countries to try and steal the independence of less powerful countries. He highlighted that Indian officers that come to the Maldives with different excuses must leave the country immediately as Maldives does not need them.

Abdul Raheem claimed that citizens of the Maldives’ must stand against India and fight for the country’s independence before the Maldives ends up like Palestine. He affirmed that those who enter the country claiming to develop the nation are the ones who will oust locals from their homes and force them to live under India’s rule.