While ruling coalition partner, Jumhooree Party (JP)’s leader has the sole power to choose its candidate for the upcoming parliamentary elections, party president Ali Waheed has revealed that some council members “were against this.”

During an interview to RaajjeTV on Monday night, the current tourism minister claimed that he was among those that opposed the idea.

Noting that he voted against this, Waheed said that he does not believe in such a regulation.

The party’s council made the decision to allow leader Qasim Ibrahim to choose its candidate for the parliamentary elections, in late January. Since then, Qasim has awarded party tickets to a number of candidates, including to himself; he is the current parliament speaker and representative for Maamigilli constituency.

The ruling coalition has been in a rift since Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) decided to contest in all constituencies in the upcoming elections. According to JP, MDP is violating coalition agreements by doing so.

Reports indicate that the party is in discussions with the opposition, led by former President Abdulla Yameen. Since then, both JP and the opposition have pulled back candidates from certain constituencies, in order to support the other’s candidates in those areas.

While JP senior officials continue to criticize the main ruling party, Waheed said that despite the difference it will remain with incumbent President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih.

The ruling coalition comprises of four parties that chose to back Solih in last September’s presidential elections.