MDP candidates will not remain like birds with their beaks sewn shut and their limbs bound: Mayor Athif

Kulhudhuffushi City Mayor Mohamed Athif has stated that Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) candidates are contesting the upcoming local council elections to speak out and take action against the government's neglect of the city. He emphasized that MDP candidates will not remain silent or be constrained like tethered birds with their wings clipped.

Mayor Athif made these remarks while speaking at the opening ceremony of the MDP's "Heyvalla Thayyaaru" campaign hub in Kulhudhuffushi City.

Highlighting the obstacles the government has placed in the way of Kulhudhuffushi’s development, Mayor Athif stated that the MDP candidates are contesting this election to ensure that the powers granted to the people under the Decentralization Act remain in the hands of the citizens of Kulhudhuffushi City. He further emphasized that their goal is to manage, prioritize, and develop the city’s affairs in accordance with the views and consultation of its residents.

Our candidates are contesting this election to stand against the government's neglect of Kulhudhuffushi and to advocate for the rights of its people. Our candidates will not remain silent, nor will they sit idly by like birds with their wings and feet bound.

Mayor of Kulhudhuffushi City, Mohamed Athif

Furthermore, noting that the government has spent 100 billion rufiyaa over the past two years, Mayor Athif stated that the administration has not contributed so much as a "single brick, a bag of cement, or even a nail" to Kulhudhuffushi during this period. The Mayor further alleged that the government has halted housing projects in the city, as well as development work at three government schools.

The second phase of the road development project has come to a complete standstill, while the foundation laid for the third phase has vanished without a trace—lost to the wind. In just 14 weeks, this administration’s sole pledge to Kulhudhuffushi was the construction of a new airport terminal. The foundation stone is there, but certainly, no progress has sprouted from it yet. Projects such as the Damana Veshi health center and the TVET center have been handed over to RDC. It seems there isn't a single project left that hasn't been signed off on or used for a photo opportunity, yet actual results remain unseen.

Mayor Athif highlighted the government's ongoing negligence toward Kulhudhuffushi City.

Mayor Athif further stated that the upcoming local council election is a contest between the President and the residents of Kulhudhuffushi City. He noted that the ruling party’s campaign team consists of individuals on the state payroll who conduct daily door-to-door canvassing.

Highlighting these points, Mayor Athif stated that the outcome of this election will be determined by the people of Kulhudhuffushi. He noted that the results will serve as a clear message to President Muizzu regarding whether the residents are satisfied with the government's performance over the past two years, adding that the public will provide a resounding response to the President on election day.