Although Minister of Environment and Energy Dr. Hussain Rasheed Hassan represents coalition partner Jumhooree Party, he will always stand by President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih and his government, asserts former President and coalition leader Mohamed Nasheed.

Nasheed made the statement during a campaign event held in Minister Hassan’s native island, Veymandoo.

The former President went on to state that it gives him great pleasure that there is a Minister in President Solih’s Cabinet who comes from the island. He also said that Minister Hassan, who is also the deputy leader of estranged JP, must be perceived as "one of our own".

“He is our Minister. He may represent another party today. But anyone who observes closely will know he is our Minister, President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih and myself. There will be no changes to that due to the vote” said Nasheed.

Further speaking to the residents, Nasheed pledged that all the issues surfacing for the community will be addresses under his Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP)’s Agenda19.

As such, he urged all the residents to elect MDP members to the fresh new tenure of Parliament to begin in May.

Nasheed’s praises towards Minister Hussain have come at a time the Minister has expressed discontent towards JP’s decision to support opposition fielded candidates to the Parliamentary Election. He previously stated that a true member of Jumhooree Party will not support any candidate fielded by opposition, Progressive Congress which comprises of former President Abdulla Yameen’s Progressive Party of the Maldives (PPM) and recently established People’s National Congress (PNC).

Minister Hussain previously represented MDP, before he joined JP.