Presidential candidate Ibrahim Mohamed Solih has called on Ahmed Siyam, the leader of government coalition party Maldives Development Alliance (MDA), to join the Joint Opposition.

Speaking at a campaign event in N. Kudafaree, Siyam’s native island, Solih asked him to join their efforts instead of staying on the sidelines.

Solih said the work of the opposition coalition parties are for the sake of the nation and asked Siyam to join in their success.

Also at the event, Solih said Siyam has decided not to ally with President Abdulla Yameen in the upcoming elections.

MDA has not made a decision to ally with any candidate for the elections next week. While some party members have been seen at Solih’s campaign events, others remain at senior positions in government.