"I am a true MDP member; I left DRP because the party decided to join President Waheed's government": Shahid
25 އޯގަސްޓު 2026 | އަންގާރަ 11:22Shahid stated that he had proposed to the DRP Council that President Waheed's administration was neither recognized nor trusted by the party; however, he noted that the motion received only five votes, as a significant majority of the council ultimately decided to join the coalition government.
Former MDP President Shahid, MDP Chairperson, President Nasheed, and President Solih participate in an MDP march. | Social Media
Former MDP President Abdulla Shahid has stated that he is a true member of the MDP at heart, noting that his departure from the DRP was prompted by that party's decision to join the administration of President Dr. Mohamed Waheed.
Speaking on Tuesday's "Fashaairu" program, Shahid noted that when he first joined the Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP), the party was in the opposition and active on the streets. He highlighted that he was serving as the Speaker of the People’s Majlis at the time, and recalled that the DRP Council, of which he was then a member, had decided to join President Waheed’s administration.
Shahid stated that he had proposed to the party's council that the administration was neither recognized nor trusted by the DRP. However, he noted that the proposal received only five votes, as a significant majority of the council decided to join President Waheed’s government.
Dr. Waheed was sworn into office on February 7, 2012, following the ousting of the first MDP administration.
I was the Speaker of the People’s Majlis at the time. The council of my then-political party decided to join President Waheed’s administration. I submitted a proposal to the council stating that I did not believe joining that government was the right course of action, as it was not an administration we should trust or participate in. My proposal received only five votes. A significant majority of the council voted to join Dr. Waheed’s government. Consequently, because I could not support it and refused to join a government formed on principles I did not accept, I decided to leave the party. I then joined the MDP and took to the streets in protest.Abdulla Shahid
Shahid stated that since joining the MDP, he has worked extensively alongside the party’s courageous members. He noted his participation in the protests organized by MDP members during former President Abdulla Yameen’s administration, which eventually led to his imprisonment. He further highlighted that during his efforts in the parliamentary elections at the time, he was among the MDP members—including former President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih—who faced terrorism charges brought against them.
Furthermore, Shahid stated that he joined the MDP because he believes it is the only viable path for advancing democracy in the Maldives.
