President Yameen sends letter to MDP's presidential candidate

President Abdulla Yameen has sent a letter to Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP)’s presidential candidate, congratulating him.

Spokesperson at the President’s Office, Ibrahim Muaz Ali said via twitter that the President has sent a “special” letter to Solih, congratulating him for being nominated as MDP’s candidate for the upcoming elections.

RaajjeMV was unable to obtain a comment on the matter from MP Solih.

While incumbent President Yameen has sent a letter congratulating him, fisheries minister and chairperson of all-party talks, Dr. Mohamed Shainee said that MDP’s decision to nominate Solih as presidential candidate “is a step towards political reconciliation”.

He said this via twitter, adding that Solih “meets the constitutional criteria”.

In addition, following Solih’s nomination the government has renewed its invitation for all-party talks “specifically with a view to facilitating the solution of any issues of concern and to pave a way forward for the elections”.

The opposition parties are yet to reveal whether they will be accepting the government’s invite.

MDP’s parliamentary group leader Solih was selected as its presidential candidate at the national congress meeting held on Saturday, with 791 members voting in favor of his nomination.

However, according to clause in the resolution passed by MDP, that despite the election of Solih, Nasheed will run in the elections if he was allowed, even if "at the last minute".