Former Islamic Minister Mohamed Shaheem Ali Saeed was tapped for vice-presidential candidacy by the ruling party because he is likely to resign from his post easily, says Ali Zahir of the Adhaalath Party.

Zahir, deputy leader of the opposition aligned party, said this at a campaign rally on Wednesday night, held in the southern atoll of Fuvahmulah.

Speaking at the rally, Zahir said that incumbent President Abdulla Yameen does not wish to keep any individual in office for the position of vice president. To make this insinuation, the party deputy leader referred to the dismissals of his vice presidents during this tenure.

“If history speaks, it has shown that vice presidents appointed by the government are dismissed and always are former ministers. I think this running mate was appointed because Yameen is sure he will resign”, Zahir said.

Further, Zahir said that the government has attempted to deceive the general public about the Joint Opposition and condemned the ‘smear’ campaign against it.