MDP slams FL Sajidha: “has gov’t done anything but harm citizens?”

The main opposition Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) has issued a pointed challenge to First Lady Sajidha Mohamed, questioning what harm President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu’s administration has not already inflicted upon the public during its two-year tenure.

This response follows recent remarks by the First Lady, who suggested that citizens would face negative consequences if they failed to elect candidates willing to cooperate with the government in the upcoming Local Council Elections. MDP has responded with a stern critique.

At a press conference held by the party on Saturday, Abdulla Waheed, MDP's designated spokesperson for the council elections and President of the Dhidhdhoo constituency, highlighted the First Lady’s assertion that rejecting PNC candidates would be detrimental to the public. Waheed stated that the party strongly condemns such rhetoric.

He emphasized that if the public relinquishes control over local councils, it effectively consolidates all power within the central administration. Such a shift, he warned, would leave citizens without a representative voice to advocate for their rights. Consequently, he urged voters to retain their democratic power and resist granting total control to the government in the upcoming polls.

Waheed further alleged that the government is exerting undue influence to undermine the electoral process, including the systematic intimidation of candidates nationwide.

He specifically noted that employees of State-Owned Enterprises (SOEs) are being pressured, with some already dismissed from their positions while others have received threats intended to affect their political standing.