Jumhoree Party (JP)’s leader Qasim Ibrahim’s whole fortune is not enough to buy off the senior members of Progressive Party of Maldives (PPM), says the ruling party’s deputy leader Abdul Raheem Abdulla.

He said this after Qasim in a TV interview claimed that PPM’s senior lawmakers Villimale’ MP Ahmed Nihan, Nilandhoo MP Dr Abdulla Khaleel, and Kelaa MP Ali Arif have been trying to join his party.

Speaking at a ruling party press conference, deputy leader Abdul Raheem claimed that Qasim had called them “to make a deal” and that he was willing to publish screenshots of messages that Qasim had sent saying he wants to join the government. But Abdul Raheem has failed to give the alleged screenshots to RaajjeTV upon request.

Abdul Raheem also said that the government has nothing to gain by allying with Qasim, who he described as being politically insignificant.

He added that Qasim needs to pay back the state even if it means selling off all his land, resorts and property.